The current use of evidence-based information in New Zealand nursing practice

Abstract

The use of evidence-based information in nursing practice means that the patient receives the 'best care' possible and this must be where the future of the nursing profession lies. However, despite pressures from the health services, in areas of cost and accountability, to move towards evidence-based practice, there remains a gap between traditional practice and what is shown through proven clinical trials to be best practice or evidenced-based nursing (EBN). A comprehensive literature review revealed that there remains a problem with nurses' use of EBN. The major barriers shown in the literature include, organisational structures, (the limited time that nurses have during the working day to access research and the lack of hierarchical support), cultural philosophies, psychological and educational barriers. This qualitative research project discovers and discusses the reasons for the limited application of evidenced-based information through the use of in-depth, unstructured interviews with six New Zealand trained nurses. Five of these nurses are Registered; that is, they are trained in both the hospital and technical institute programmes; and one nurse is a third year degree student. All nurses involved in the study practice in Auckland. The data collected from the interviews revealed the nurses' perception of EBN, they were unanimous in their opinion that EBN was beneficial for both the patient and the nursing profession but that there were difficulties in using EBN in practice. These barriers are discussed in relation to the literature findings and strategies were suggested for improving the use of EBN. Strategies included: multidisciplinary; evidenced-based clinical pathways; journal clubs; nursing related databases available for use on the ward; increasing numbers of degree trained nurses; and research awareness of nurses' needs, interests and level of understanding.