Effectiveness of Educational Interventions to Increase Skills in Evidence-Based Practice among Nurses: The EDITcare Systematic Review

Abstract

Background: Using evidence-based practice (EBP) improves the implementation of safe, high-quality healthcare for patients, reduces avoidable costs, and plays a crucial role in bridging knowledge–action gaps and reducing health inequities. EBP combines the best available evidence in the relevant literature with patient preferences and values and healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) expertise. Methods: Systematic searches of ten bibliographic databases, unpublished works, and the Grey Literature Report sought studies published up to 30 September 2022. Results: The 15 studies retained involved 2712 nurses. Three types of effective educational interventions were identified: (1) multifaceted educational strategies incorporating mentoring and tutoring; (2) single educational strategies, often delivered online; and (3) multifaceted educational strategies using the five steps of EBP. Eleven primary outcomes (EBP beliefs, EBP self-efficacy, perceived EBP implementation, EBP competencies, EBP knowledge, EBP skills, EBP attitudes, EBP behaviors, EBP desire, EBP practice, and perceptions of organizational culture and readiness) were assessed using 13 qualitative and quantitative instruments. Conclusions: Ensuring the successful implementation of EBP requires effective educational strategies. Computer-based learning seems the most cost-effective and efficient strategy, when considering caregivers’ characteristics, the clinical field, and educational interventions across the pre-, peri-, and post-implementation processes.

A Comparison of Evidence-Based Practice Training With and Without Postimmersion Follow-up

“…Articles in English from 2017 to 2022 that described outcomes of EBP were included. Two of the 14 articles meeting the criteria 3,5 addressed practice outcomes and recommend multimodal instruction as the most effective for promoting EBP implementation. Other articles described changes in knowledge and attitudes but did not address the ability of participants to implement EBP initiatives.…”

“…The ONS prioritizes the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) as one of the most effective ways to improve the quality of patient care across all care settings. [1][2][3] The ONS used the Advancing Research and Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration (ARCC) model 4 for the education and implementation of EBP. The ARCC model is one of the most widely used EBP models, focusing on system-wide EBP implementation, culture, and organizational readiness.…”

“…In fact, the most effective way to develop EBP skills that result in EBP implementation is not well developed. 3 The VHA offered EBP courses, including the Ohio State University College of Nursing Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare Immersion (hereafter referred to as EBP immersion), over the past 5 years. Leaders at the VHA identified that educational initiatives focused on attitudes, beliefs, and skills regarding EBP have not reliably translated into implementation initiatives.…”

“…The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Nursing Services (ONS) is committed to the use of evidence to guide all types of nursing practice. The ONS prioritizes the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) as one of the most effective ways to improve the quality of patient care across all care settings 1-3 . The ONS used the Advancing Research and Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration (ARCC) model 4 for the education and implementation of EBP.…”

“…However, there is limited evidence that the any current EBP model results in EBP implementation. In fact, the most effective way to develop EBP skills that result in EBP implementation is not well developed 3 . The VHA offered EBP courses, including the Ohio State University College of Nursing Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare Immersion (hereafter referred to as EBP immersion), over the past 5 years.…”