Introduction
The purpose of the study was to modernize health services in New Zealand by the effectiveness of nurse decision-making through the use of evidence-based approaches in clinical performance. This study aimed at describing the perceptions, attitudes, knowledge, and skills of nurses regarding the use of the evidence-based practice. It also focused on determining the effect of education in preparing nurses for evidence-based practice. The target population was nurses in general practice based in West Auckland. Questionnaires were sent to 110 nurses through practice managers and public health nurses. Only 55 returned their questionnaires making the final sample size of the study. The collection of data was through questionnaires. The rating was between 1 (poor) and 7(best). The demographics considered were age, ethnicity, gender, length of time registered, weekly hours worked and length of time worked in primary care. There were demographic sheets, EBPQ, and postage-paid return envelopes to aid in data collection (Prior, Wilkinson & Neville, 2010).
There was testing for possible errors in coding, accuracy, any missing values, and errors from the entries made by participants. Incomplete data sets were eliminated. The analysis was through SPSS and the use of descriptive data. Variability was tested using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient. The intervention was not tested in the participants because the sample size depended on the questionnaires returned to the researcher as a sign of consent of participation in the study. There was no correlation between skills and knowledge for the implementation of EBP. There was a statistical relationship of single components of EBP. There was relevance attached to attitudes depending on the educational levels of nurses. Knowledge and skills influence the implementation of EBP showing that there was a positive influence the education has on the nurses. There was also a positive influence from individual beliefs and attitudes with academic qualifications strengthening commitment to utilizing EBP (Frasure, 2008).
Credibility
The design was appropriate for this study but as common to most surveys, the study faced a low response associated with questionnaires self-completed by participants. The data was appropriate for the study and answered the research question. The choice of the participants could not influence the findings. However, the distribution process using the managers could face some biases in the distribution process and chosen participants in preference. The instruments used were valid and reliable because they were in line with measuring attitudes and perceptions in line with studying social sciences. There were controls of extraneous variables and potential biases like the controls on potential errors. The selection process of participants would have influenced the results of the study. The appropriate means would be to use random sampling to make the selection process unbiased. The findings of this study were consistent with other studies focusing on understanding the attitudes of clinical providers towards the use of the evidence-based practice. This study was credible in presenting its findings (Prior, Wilkinson & Neville, 2010).
Conclusion
I am in concurrence with the results of this study. The discussion and implications for nursing are positive for the practice of nursing, research and policy are valid. However, there is a need for further study for the examination of the evidence relevant for use in informed practice and the factors, which influence the achievement of evidence-based practice within the primary healthcare facilities, its organization as well as contextual factors.
References
Frasure, J. (2008). Analysis of instruments measuring nurses’ attitudes towards research utilization: A systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 61(1), 5 18.
Prior, P., Wilkinson, J., & Neville, S. (2010). Practice nurse use of evidence in clinical practice: A descriptive survey. Nursing Praxis in New Zealand, 26(2), 14-25.