Attitudes Towards Evidence-Based Nursing and Barriers Against Utilizing Research: The Case of Pediatrics Nurses

Abstract

Objective: This study was carried out with the aim of determining the attitudes of nurses working in the pediatrics clinics towards evidence-based nursing and the barriers they encounter while trying to utilize research. Methods: This research is a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Study was conducted in the pediatrics clinics of two big public hospitals located in a metropolitan city in the northern region of Turkey. The sample of the study consists of 244 nurses. A Personal Information Form, the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale (BRUS), and the Attitude Towards Evidence-Based Nursing Questionnaire (ATEBNQ) were used as data collection instruments. Results: It was determined that 67.6% of the nurses did not participate in any scientific event. It was found that the total average BRUS score of the nurses included in the study was 46.80±2.99 and the total average ATEBNQ score was 58.11±16.29. It was determined that the most important barrier in the use of research by nurses was "Not enough time to read scientific studies because of work" (46.3%). It was seen that there is a statistically significant difference between the total score averages of the research utilization scale and the working duration time and the workload they have (p <0.05). In addition, statistically significant differences were found between the level of participation in scientific activities and the type of these activities, and the total mean ATEBNQ scores (p <0.05). Conclusion and Suggestions:In this study, it was determined that nurses' attitudes towards evidence-based nursing and their perceived barriers against utilizing from their research were moderate; however, the majority of the nurses stated that they did not participate in scientific events, did not review the literature, did not try to bring an evidence-based approach to clinical practice, and that they did not consider themselves competent on this matter. It was determined that most of the barriers against the use of scientific studies in nursing practices stem from nurses and institutions.