Original Article

Staff Practice, Attitudes, and Knowledge/Skills Regarding Evidence-Based Practice Before and After an Educational Intervention

Deene Mollon, RN, MSN, NE-BC; Willa Fields, DNSc, RN, FHIMSS; Ana-Maria Gallo, PhD, CNS, RNC; Rebecca Wagener, RN; Jacqui Soucy, BS, RCP, RRT-NPS; Brandi Gustafson, DPT; Son Chae Kim, PhD, RN

  • The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
  • September 2012 - Volume 43 · Issue 9: 411-419
  • DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20120716-89
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Abstract

Background: Today’s clinicians have different levels of knowledge and skill related to evidence-based practice, depending on their educational background, level of experience, and interest. This multidisciplinary study assessed nurses’ baseline and posteducation practice, attitudes, and knowledge/skills regarding evidence-based practice.
Methods: A descriptive pre- and postsurvey design study evaluated clinical staff’s practice, attitudes, and knowledge/skills regarding evidence-based practice with the Clinical Effectiveness and Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire.
Results: A total of 327 participants (24%) completed the presurvey and 282 (20%) completed the postsurvey. No statistically significant changes were found in practice, attitudes, and knowledge/skills after the online education. In the multivariate analysis, online education was not a significant predictor of practice, attitudes, or knowledge/skills regarding evidence-based practice; graduate educational degree, formal evidence-based practice classes, and registered nurse status were statistically significant positive predictors.
Conclusion: Administering self-learning online modules may not be the most effective method for expanding evidence-based practice abilities and knowledge/skills of nurses.
AUTHORS

Ms. Mollon is Nurse Manager; Dr. Gallo is Director of Nursing Education, Research and Professional Development; Ms. Wagener is Clinical Nurse; Ms. Soucy is Clinical Lead Respiratory Therapist; and Dr. Gustafson is Physical Therapist, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, La Mesa, California. Dr. Fields is Professor, San Diego State University, San Diego, California. Dr. Kim is Professor, Point Loma Nazarene University, San Diego, California.

The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Address correspondence to Deene Mollon, RN, MSN, NE-BC, Nurse Manager, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, 5555 Grossmont Center Drive, La Mesa, CA 91942. E-mail: deene.mollon@sharp.com.

Received: January 25, 2012
Accepted: June 21, 2012
Posted Online: July 23, 2012

doi: 10.3928/00220124-20120716-89

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