Differences in beliefs on and implementation of evidence-based practice according to type of health care institution-A national cross-sectional study among Slovenian nurses

Aim To explore the differences in beliefs on and implementation of evidence-based practice in nurses working in different types of health care institutions. Background Optimal organizational context and knowledge are essential to support evidence-based practice and sustain the use of evidence in professional nursing practice. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted. A total of 1,014 nurses from 20 Slovenian hospitals and 29 primary health care centres participated. Variables included the following: Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs and Implementation Scale, educational and training activities, job satisfaction, job training, perceived research and evidence-based practice knowledge, and access to databases. Results Beliefs on evidence-based practice were explained by evidence-based practice (beta = 0.249) and research (beta = 0.162) knowledge, length of employment (beta = 0.124), job satisfaction (beta = 0.117), training in evidence-based practice (beta = -0.092) and holding a master's degree (beta = 0.077). Implementation of evidence-based practice depended on beliefs (beta = 0.306) and the type of health care institution (beta = 0.132). The highest implementation result was seen in primary health care centres (<0.001). Conclusion Training in evidence-based practice and perceived knowledge of evidence-based practice significantly influence the beliefs on and implementation of evidence-based practice. Nurses employed at primary health care centres who had completed a task-shifting training programme achieved significantly better results for implementation of evidence-based practice. Implications for Nursing Management The indirect effects of development training programmes for the implementation of EBP have not yet been studied. Development activities and change implementation processes in nursing foster education and training opportunities, which have significantly influenced the implementation of EBP.