title: Assessing the impact of information on evidence-based nursing practice: the EVINCE (Establishing the Value of Information to Nursing Continuing Education) project.
abstract: One of the aims of the EVINCE study (Establishing the Value of Information to Nursing Continuing Education) was to assess the impact of information obtained from information and library services about nursing knowledge, competencies, and practice. Survey methods included a critical incident type survey of the patterns of information need and use among a random sample of more than 200 nursing, midwifery, and health visiting staff at five sites and a survey of 776 searches and requests presented to 13 different information services. Questionnaire surveys were followed by selected interviews. Results indicated that information seeking in practice was often prompted by a combination of purposes, with 41 percent of information-seeking incidents involving patient care purposes combined with informal or formal education. The profile of information requests seen by the information service differed, there being more emphasis on formal education and research. Nursing professionals value highly the information obtained from information and library services, and information that helps in evidence-based practice is a priority. Information skills are varied, suggesting that much support for critical appraisal is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Information and Library Studies, University of Wales, Aberystwyth.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Urquhart
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003625:Data Collection; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D007255:Information Services; D008611:Mentors; D009739:Nursing Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014852:Wales