Establishing evidence-based practice: issues and implications in critical care nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Evidence-based practice (EBP) involves integrating empirical evidence and research findings into clinical decision-making.
• EBP is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes, enhancing care quality, and improving nursing credibility.
• Despite decades of promotion, a significant gap persists between research findings and their implementation in clinical nursing practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the diffusion of innovations in critical care nursing through the lens of Rogers' theoretical model.
• To understand the barriers hindering the adoption of research evidence in clinical nursing.
• To provide recommendations for facilitating the establishment of evidence-based practice in critical care settings.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of the diffusion of innovations stages as described by Rogers' theoretical model.
• Examination of current critical care nursing practices in relation to innovation diffusion.
• Literature review on barriers and facilitators of research utilization in nursing.

Main Results:

• Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations model provides a framework for understanding the slow adoption of EBP.
• Identified barriers impede the translation of research findings into routine clinical practice.
• The gap between research and practice is evident across various settings, including critical care.

Conclusions:

• Applying Rogers' model can illuminate the challenges in implementing evidence-based practice.
• Targeted strategies are needed to overcome identified barriers and accelerate EBP adoption.
• Facilitating the diffusion of innovations is key to advancing evidence-based practice in critical care nursing.