Evaluation of a program to increase evidence-based practice change.
OBJECTIVE
The study evaluated a nursing research program designed to achieve systematic evidence-based practice change. Specifically, change in nurse attitudes about use of research and research conduct, practice change projects, and nurse participation in research-related activities were evaluated.


BACKGROUND
Evidence indicates that successful evidence-based practice change in an organization requires senior leadership support and a systematic program for practice change. Evaluation of program effectiveness provides evidence about opportunities for further improvement.


METHODS
Quantitative evaluation used a pretest-posttest design. The site was an academic medical center in rural West Virginia. Participants were registered nurses from all inpatients units, perioperative services, and emergency departments. Surveys used Alcock et al's Staff Nurses and Research Activities scale. Descriptive evaluation included the number of nurses who attended the workshop, practice change projects, scholarly products disseminated, and outcome of a Magnet review.


RESULTS
First, knowledge about the availability of support services increased between 1999 and 2002 and was associated with higher attitude scores about research and research utilization. Second, registered nurses who reported participating in research-related activities had more positive scores on all attitudes than registered nurses who reported not participating.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurse leaders may improve participation and attitudes about research and research utilization by internally marketing the support available for research-related activities.
Larrabee
June H
JH
Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center of West Virginia University, School of Nursing, Morgantown, WV 26506-9610, USA. jlarrabee@hsc.wvu.edu
Sions
Jacqueline
J
Fanning
Mary
M
Withrow
Mary Lynne
ML
Ferretti
Andrea
A
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D014903:West Virginia