Forensic mental health nursing and evidence-based practice: a quantitative study

Background: Little is known about the personal, professional and workplace factors that influence evidence-based practice for forensic mental health nurses. Aim: This study describes the sources of practice knowledge for forensic mental health nurses, and the factors that influence the implementation of evidence-based practice. Design: This research study utilised a cross sectional survey design. Methods: All nurses (n = 244) working in one forensic mental health in-patient facility were sent an electronic invitation to complete the Developing Evidence Based Practice Questionnaire. Data was analysed to calculate descriptive statistics. Findings: Fifty-three respondents completed the survey. Respondents reported using experiential knowledge and locally derived sources of information more frequently than research-based evidence to inform their practice. Respondents reported being least skilled at finding, reviewing and using research evidence to change practice. The most frequently rated barriers to evidence-based practice were having insufficient time and resources to both finding and reviewing information and to implement changes in practice. Conclusions: Forensic mental health nurses tend to express a bias towards valuing social or qualitative sources of information to inform practice. Exploring the relationships between individual and organisational factors in the context of forensic mental health is recommended in order to gain further insights into the translation of evidence into practice for forensic mental health nurses. Impact statement: Unique contextual aspects of the forensic mental health environment may influence the implementation of evidence-based practice. Our study highlights that further support, resources and training is required to promote the use of research-based evidence in forensic mental health nursing.