Implementing Evidence Informed Practice Changes: Barriers, Facilitators, and Work Environments.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Implementation Science
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Work environments significantly impact the adoption of research findings and innovation in healthcare.
• Previous research on evidence-based practice often overlooks the crucial role of the work environment, focusing primarily on individual nurses' knowledge and skills.
• Understanding environmental factors is essential for successful implementation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nurses' perspectives on the barriers and facilitators influencing the implementation of research findings into clinical practice.
• To identify key environmental and organizational factors that either hinder or promote the use of evidence in nursing.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods survey design was employed, combining electronic surveys with open-ended questions.
• Data analysis involved descriptive statistics for quantitative data and narrative analysis guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) for qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Nurses generally hold positive attitudes towards integrating evidence into their practice.
• Significant barriers identified include time limitations, insufficient knowledge, change fatigue, and convoluted organizational processes.
• Facilitators include strong collegial support, access to expert mentors, and availability of resources like libraries.

Conclusions:

• Successful implementation of evidence into practice requires dedicated organizational resources and the cultivation of supportive work environments.
• Integrating evidence into quality improvement initiatives, providing ongoing education, and simplifying translation processes are crucial.
• Reducing the number of concurrent institution-wide initiatives can also enhance the adoption of evidence-based practices.