Preparing for professional practice: how well does professional training equip health and social care practitioners to engage in evidence-based practice?

Nurse Educ Today. 2007 Aug;27(6):518-28. doi: 10.1016/j.nedt.2006.08.014. Epub 2006 Oct 24.

Abstract

This paper reports on the findings of a study that aimed to explore how relevant initial training is in relation to evidence-based practice, and explore the perceptions of recently qualified practitioners about their confidence to engage in evidence-based practice. A cross-sectional postal survey was used to ascertain the views of nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who had been qualified no longer than two years prior to the survey, and had qualified at one of three London Universities. Fifty questionnaires were sent out to each professional group (a sample of 200 overall) and there was a 43% response rate achieved. The results show a clear discrepancy between what are generally positive attitudes towards evidence-based practice and the value of research evidence and the infrequency with which they actually do make use of research resources and engage in evidence-based practice. A number of constraints to engagement in accessing and utilising evidence were identified.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Databases, Bibliographic / statistics & numerical data
  • Education, Continuing
  • Educational Status
  • Employment / organization & administration
  • Evidence-Based Medicine* / education
  • Evidence-Based Medicine* / organization & administration
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Humans
  • Inservice Training
  • London
  • Needs Assessment
  • Nursing Education Research
  • Nursing Methodology Research
  • Nursing Staff / education
  • Nursing Staff / psychology
  • Occupational Therapy / education
  • Occupational Therapy / psychology
  • Physical Therapy Specialty / education
  • Professional Competence* / standards
  • Professional Practice / organization & administration
  • Self Efficacy*
  • Social Work / education
  • Surveys and Questionnaires