Question

Argue the pros and cons of evidence-based practice (EBP). Why would a focus on EBP be good for the discipline of nursing? How can barriers to the use of EBP be overcome?

Answer 1

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing involves using current research evidence to guide nursing practice. EBP has several pros, such as improved patient outcomes and increased patient safety. However, there are also cons, including the time-consuming nature of EBP and resistance to change. Barriers to EBP can be overcome through education and training, fostering a culture of EBP, and improving access to resources.

Step-by-step explanation:

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing refers to the use of current research evidence to inform and guide nursing practice. There are several pros to EBP, including:

1. Improved patient outcomes: EBP ensures that nurses are using the most effective and evidence-based interventions, resulting in better patient outcomes.
2. Increased patient safety: EBP helps identify best practices and promotes standardized care, reducing the risk of errors and improving patient safety.
3. Enhanced professional development: Engaging in EBP promotes critical thinking, research literacy, and lifelong learning among nurses, leading to their professional growth.

However, there are also cons to consider:

• Time-consuming: EBP requires nurses to stay updated with the latest research, which can be time-consuming and challenging given their busy schedules.
• Resistance to change: Some nurses may be reluctant to change their established practices, especially if they have been effective in the past, hindering the implementation of EBP.
• Limited access to resources: Access to research articles and databases may be limited in certain healthcare settings, making it difficult for nurses to access up-to-date evidence.

To overcome these barriers, various strategies can be employed:

1. Providing education and training: Nurses should be provided with education and training on EBP principles, research methods, and critical appraisal skills to enhance their confidence and competence.
2. Fostering a culture of EBP: Healthcare organizations and nursing leadership should support and promote a culture that values research and EBP, encouraging nurses to engage in evidence-based decision-making.
3. Improving access to resources: Healthcare organizations should ensure nurses have easy access to research literature, databases, and other resources necessary for EBP, either through subscriptions or collaboration with academic institutions.

Answer 2

EBP is highly beneficial and integral for nursing practice because it keeps the nurse practitioners updated about current protocols and interventions that are most effective among patients.

The barriers to EBP implementation identified in nursing are many but the most frequent are known to be heavy workload, workforce shortage, lack of access to credible literature i.e. nursing libraries, lack of internet at workplace and lack of continued professional education.

Step-by-step explanation:

Evidence-base practice (EBP) is vital for advanced nursing practice and holistic care delivery. EBP enables nurse practitioners to determine an effective course of action for holistic care delivery. EBP helps in establishing the correct diagnosis by looking into the clinical problem through evidence-base. The best-suited evidence to patient’s condition is then selected and analyzed. Afterwards, the evidence is applied on clinical practice which is most likely to be effective as indicated in the current nursing literature. EBP is gathered through credible sources such as randomized clinical trials, evidence gathered from case studies, and opinions of clinical experts supported by reports.

Nurse practitioners who are working long-hours faces burnout and fatigue which decreases their work performance and does not allow them to read current nursing literature. Moreover, nursing workforce shortage also increases individual workload among nurses and they did not get the time to make individualized intervention plans for patients.