Research and evidence based practice in a rural Victorian cohort

Abstract

Background: There is little evidence of the prevalence of research driven evidence based practice (EBP) or the supportive nature of organisations in a rural Australian setting.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to identify the research capacity and value of research that translates to EBP in organisations in rural Victoria, Australia.

Design: A snowball technique was used for recruitment. Data was collected using a modified version of a survey originally developed by the Australian Nursing Federation to determine eHealth literacy. The survey was supplemented to measure respondent’s perceptions relating to organisational research ability and value.

Setting: Hospitals, aged care facilities, and general practice surgeries.

Subjects: Nurses in rural Victoria, Australia.

Main outcome measures: Use of research, ability to locate and analyse research, to determine if research was valid, high quality, relevant and applicable, organisations value of research and EBP, linkage of research to quality care of organisation.

Results: Approximately a third of respondents report they have skilled staff for research and evidence assessment. However more than 50% report limited time to research or gather evidence. Research is reported as a priority for the organisation by approximately 40% of respondents. The translation of research to EBP was noted by approximately 50% of respondents who report that decision makers in their organisations consider high quality relevant research when making choices about quality care activities.

Conclusions: This paper demonstrates a need to improve the ability to access quality research and to improve organisations uptake of research and its translation to EBP.