Implementation of evidence‐based practice by nurses working in community settings and their strategies to mentor student nurses to develop evidence‐based practice: A qualitative study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to explore how community nurses apply the best available evidence to their practice, and how they mentor student nurses to conceptualize and implement evidence-based practice in community settings. In the UK, the expansion of health-care provision in the community has supported the development of highly skilled community nurses. However, there is limited literature regarding the strategies used by community nurses to implement evidence-based practice and mentor student nurses to conceptualize evidence-based practice in community placements. An exploratory qualitative approach applying inductive reasoning to focus group data was used. As a result, nurses working for a community NHS Foundation Trust in South England with a mentor qualification were invited to participate in one of the seven focus groups, 33 nurses participated. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis. The themes discussed in this paper are: 'our practice is evidence-based' as guidelines and policies provided structure, but occasionally stifled autonomous clinical decision-making, and 'time' as a barrier and facilitator to mentoring student nurses in community settings. In conclusion, nurses need to develop the ability to incorporate patients' needs and wishes within evidence-based care. Time was a facilitator for some community mentors, but protected time is required to complete the necessary practice documentation of student nurses.

Patient and public involvement in doctoral research: Impact, resources and recommendations

“…The overall aim of this study was to explore and evaluate the processes involved in the implementation and adoption of an evidence‐based intervention for family carers (the ‘Caring for Someone with Cancer’ booklet) in community nursing. Little is known about the work required to implement evidence‐based practice within community nursing, which is challenged by a lack of consistency in the terminology used . This study therefore contributed to the evidence base by (a) exploring how the booklet intervention had been used within a large NHS Community Trust and (b) utilizing Participatory Action Research principles and Normalization Process Theory to implement the booklet intervention in four sites in one city in England, UK.…”

Strategies, facilitators and barriers to implementation of evidence-based practice in community nursing: a systematic mixed-studies review and qualitative synthesis

“…The majority of nursing implementation science research has been conducted in acute hospital settings (Estabrooks et al ., 2002; Lucero et al ., 2009; Van Bogaert et al ., 2009; Brooke and Mallion, 2016). Although care in the community has expanded globally, literature exploring implementation of EBP in this setting remains limited, including implementation strategies used by community nurses (Brooke and Mallion, 2016).…”

“…Healthcare professionals are expected to engage with evidence and practice in line with it. Professional regulatory bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council include the expectation that nurses deliver EBP in all settings (Brooke and Mallion, 2016; Mallion and Brooke, 2016). However, gaps still exist between research evidence, changes to practice and improved outcomes for patients (Wilson et al ., 2010; Grimshaw et al ., 2012).…”

Beliefs and implementation of evidence‐based practice among community health nurses: A cross‐sectional descriptive study

“…Some authors documented the main barrier to the use of research as being that nurses were unaware of existing research studies (Moreno‐Casbas, Fuentelsaz‐Gallego, de Miguel, Gonzalez‐Maria, & Clarke, ). Other barriers among community healthcare nurses, documented in a recent study on implementing EBP, were inadequate access to information technology, limited information technology skills and difficulties in understanding statistical analysis (Bennasar‐Veny, Gonzalez‐Torrente, De Pedro‐Gomez, Morales‐Asencio, & Pericas‐Beltran, ; Brooke & Mallion, ; Gerrish & Cooke, ; Moreno‐Casbas et al., ).…”