Barriers to Achieving Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing

Barriers to Achieving Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing

The goal set by the Institute of Medicine to have 90% of practice be evidence-based by 2020 is indeed ambitious. However, there are several barriers that might prevent nursing practice from achieving this goal. Here, we will discuss two of these barriers and suggest ways to address them.

Barrier 1: Lack of Knowledge and Skills

One of the main barriers to implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is the lack of knowledge and skills among nurses. Many nurses are not familiar with the process of EBP or lack the skills to critically appraise and apply research findings in their practice.

Solution:

To address this barrier, educational institutions and healthcare organizations should:

• Provide training and education on EBP to nurses. This could be in the form of workshops, seminars, or continuing education courses.
• Incorporate EBP into nursing curricula to ensure that future nurses are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills.
• Provide resources and tools that can help nurses in implementing EBP, such as access to research databases and guidelines on how to critically appraise research.

Barrier 2: Organizational Culture and Support

Another barrier to the implementation of EBP is the lack of organizational culture and support. If the organization does not value EBP or does not provide the necessary support (e.g., time, resources), nurses may find it difficult to implement EBP in their practice.

Solution:

To overcome this barrier, healthcare organizations should:

• Foster a culture that values and supports EBP. This could be done by recognizing and rewarding nurses who implement EBP in their practice.
• Provide the necessary resources and support for EBP, such as time for research and access to research databases.
• Implement policies and procedures that promote the use of EBP.

In conclusion, while there are barriers to achieving the goal of 90% EBP in nursing practice, these can be addressed through education, organizational support, and policy changes. By addressing these barriers, we can move closer to achieving the goal set by the Institute of Medicine.