Nurses' Expectations of a Knowledge Management System in Nursing Practice: Qualitative Study

Evidence-based practice is essential for delivering safe, high-quality nursing care; however, its implementation remains challenging due to barriers such as limited knowledge, a lack of supportive organizational culture, and insufficient access to relevant knowledge at the point of care. Knowledge management systems (KMSs) have the potential to bridge this gap by integrating evidence into the nursing process through technological support. Despite growing interest, the integration of KMS into daily nursing practice is still underexplored, especially from the perspective of frontline nurses.

The aim of this study was to explore nurses' perspectives on the requirements for a KMS that supports evidence-based practice at the point of care, with a focus on usability, process integration into the electronic nursing care plan and patient chart, and implementation challenges and benefits.

A qualitative study was conducted in a Swiss hospital using observations, focus groups, and individual interviews with 6 registered nurses, 9 advanced practice nurses, 2 nursing managers, and 1 head physician. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

The analysis revealed four main categories and ten subcategories: (1) content of the KMS, (2) personal and structural factors of knowledge management, (3) technical conditions of the KMS, and (4) implementation of a KMS. Participants emphasized the need for an intuitively structured, process-integrated system that links evidence-based information directly to nursing interventions in the electronic nursing care plan and patient chart. Organizational support, interprofessional collaboration, and clear responsibilities were identified as critical for successful implementation.

There is a clear need for a KMS that is user-friendly, seamlessly integrated into clinical workflows, and supports quick, reliable access to evidence-based knowledge. A KMS could enhance nurses' access to reliable knowledge, promote evidence-based decision-making, and strengthen professional confidence at the point of care. By embedding evidence directly into the electronic nursing care plan and patient chart, such systems can streamline workflows, reduce time spent searching for information, and support more consistent application of best practices. These capabilities may improve information retrieval and contribute to a safer, more consistent nursing practice.