What is evidence based practice and what are some of the barriers encountered by nursing to evidence based practice?

Evidence based practice (EBP) is a clinical approach which involves using an individual’s medical history and current condition as well as the latest research findings to inform decisions regarding diagnosis, treatment and care. It is important to minimize risks and maximize the effectiveness of care while also ensuring that patients receive the best possible interventions.

Despite EBP’s benefits, there are still many barriers that nurses face when implementing it. Time constraints can also be an obstacle. Due to their commitment to patients, nurses might not have the time to conduct research and assess current evidence. Accessibility can also pose a challenge, as it is difficult to obtain reliable data, as published studies are often not accurate, and to get approval for extra resources or staff needed when carrying out research.

Some staff members may also be resistant to change if they do not understand certain EBP concepts. Finally, cost limitations could also hinder progress since conducting relevant research generally requires investment – something which might not always be feasible depending on budget constraints at a given organization. Nevertheless though by overcoming these challenges, nursing teams should then be better equipped to provide evidence-based care that is tailored specifically towards meeting each patient’s needs.