title: Evidence-based practice: an idea whose time has come.
abstract: This paper defines evidence-based practice, gives a brief history of EBP, addresses nurses' current usage of research, briefly examines the need for evidence-based practice, then addresses what evidence-based practice will mean to the profession. It is concluded that at present Australian nursing is in a stage of pre-evidence-based practice in which most Australian nurses neither read research nor apply research findings to practice. However, a demand for evidence-based practice will likely encourage nurses to use research in practice. Finally, professional strategies will be developed to encourage the introduction and evaluation of evidence-based nursing practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, N.T. University.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology