Evidence-based practices in Finland based on nurse professionals’ descriptions

Abstract

Evidence-based practices (EBPs) seek to promote the implementation of interventions that are effective, appropriate, feasible and meaningful for patients. The current demand for updated EBPs in Finland is shaped by national legislation. This study's aim was to describe nurses' , nurse directors' and clinical nurse specialists' (CNSs') perceptions of how well EBPs are being implemented in nursing in Finland. Methods:In this quantitative descriptive study, the data were collected with an e-questionnaire distributed in Finland in 2017 and analysed using descriptive statistical methods.Results: A total of 1063 nurses and 340 nurse directors and CNSs participated. The majority of nurses (64%, n ¼ 669) reported that evidence is not clearly used to develop clinical practices. Most nurses (67%, n ¼ 702) and over half of nurse directors and CNSs (57%, n ¼ 184) also observed that knowledge of evidence-based protocols is not widespread within their organizations. However, 39% of nurses (n ¼ 407) and 53% of nurse directors and CNSs (n ¼ 171) stated that they are developing EBPs. Conclusion:The results indicate that nurses need more support to implement EBPs.

Social, health and rehabilitation sector educators’ competence in evidence‐based practice: A cross‐sectional study

“…In the health sector, the concept of EBP has a longer history (see Mackey & Bassendowski, 2017 ) and is used more than in the social sector (Grady et al., 2018 ). In addition, university of applied sciences curricula include EBP competence (Holopainen et al., 2019 ), and educators are more involved with the topic when compared to educators teaching in vocational colleges. These may be among the chief reasons for the distribution of educator education organizations and the field of education in the profiles.…”

“…We focus on social, health and rehabilitation services educators and their competence in EBP. In previous studies, it was observed that the implementation of EBP has been studied in nursing education (Fiset et al., 2017), nursing and nursing management (Holopainen et al., 2019; Melnyk et al., 2018; Stokke et al., 2014), nursing students (Lam & Schubert, 2019) and educators (Mehrdad et al., 2012; Nichols, 2017) and in physiotherapy (Scurlock‐Evans et al, 2014). It was also observed that the EBP competence of educators is usually considered and presented in the form of their teaching rather than in their larger capability to understand, evaluate and implement sound evidence in decision‐making in healthcare systems (and their grasp of its relevance internationally).…”

“…EBP is seen as a core area of expertise for health and social care professionals (Mehrdad et al., 2012; Mullen, 2014; Orta et al., 2016), and their actions have a significant impact on the quality of care and the outcomes of patient and client care. The foundation for EBP awareness must be created whilst future professionals are studying and training, and health and social services educators obviously play a key role in this regard (Holopainen et al., 2019).…”

Clinical decision support in promoting evidence-based nursing in primary healthcare: a cross-sectional study in Finland

“…1 Regardless of the recognized importance, there is still large variation and shortcomings in the implementation of EBN. 2,3 The promotion of EBN and implementation of evidence-based clinical guidelines requires national, local, and organizational structures. At the organizational level, there needs to be sufficient resources and functioning practices for disseminating up-to-date evidence, evaluating current practices and development needs, developing consistent practices based on the evidence, and ensuring competence of the nursing staff.…”

“…At the organizational level, there needs to be sufficient resources and functioning practices for disseminating up-to-date evidence, evaluating current practices and development needs, developing consistent practices based on the evidence, and ensuring competence of the nursing staff. 1 Implementation success requires overcoming the recognized barriers to EBN, such as lack of time resources of the nursing staff, 2,4 and challenges in the dissemination of evidence. 2 Clinical decision support (CDS) systems are one type of technological solution that can support EBN and the implementation of evidence-based clinical guidelines.…”