Dimensions of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: Results of a Factor Analysis

Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) are capable of bridging evidence and practice. However, it is unclear what dimensions determine evidence-based practice under real world conditions. To answer this question, 126 registered nurses and nursing students from the Munich municipal hospital group filled in a systematically developed and validated questionnaire with 26 items. An exploratory factor analysis revealed the three dimensions "Knowledge", "Trust" and "Practice" which explain 56.5% of the total variance. They are corroborated by the literature and match findings about evidence-based practice in medicine. These results not only provide insights into the construct evidence-based practice but also give practical hints how to foster evidence-based daily work in nursing. A supportive clinical environment seems to be paramount to achieve this goal: access to evidence-based resources, team meetings to reflect the experience and the inclusion of the patients' needs.