Knowledge, skills and attitudes related to evidence-based practice among undergraduate nursing students: A survey at three universities in Colombia, Chile and Spain. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sánchez-García, Inmaculada; Ureña Molina, Maria del Pilar; López-Medina, Isabel M.; Pancorbo-Hidalgo, Pedro L.
• Is Part Of: Nurse education in practice. Volume 39(2019)
• Page Start: 117
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Evidence-based practice -- Nursing students -- Surveys and questionnaires -- Professional competencies; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.73071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2019.08.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-5953

Abstract

Abstract: Teaching nursing students about the model of evidence-based practice is a challenge for university faculty. The aim of this study was to measure knowledge, skills and attitudes related to evidence-based practice among undergraduate nursing students, as well as associated factors. The study involved a cross-sectional design using a survey of all students enrolled in a Bachelor of Nursing programme (1st to 4th year) in three nursing faculties of universities in Chile, Colombia and Spain. The Spanish version of the Evidence-Based Competence Questionnaire was used to measure knowledge, skills, attitudes and overall competency. In total, 875 students completed the questionnaire. The overall score of competency in evidence-based practice was similar in all three universities (range 1–5) (3.63 in Chile, 3.58 in Colombia and 3.68 in Spain). The score of self-rated attitudes was strongly correlated with the overall competency measured. More hours of training in research methods and reading nursing journals articles in the last month were the factors associated with higher scores in evidence-based practice competency. The undergraduate nursing students at the three universities surveyed obtained a high score in overall competency in evidence-based practice. No differences were found among them, despite the different approaches used in educational programmes. Highlights: Nursing students from three Ibero-American universities scored high on evidence-based practice. Attitudes are strongly associated with overall competency on evidence-based practice. Reading nursing journals articles in the last month is associated with the score of knowledge, skills and attitudes.