title: Using a pedagogical approach to integrate evidence-based teaching in an undergraduate women's health course.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence-based practice (EBP) is promoted as a foundation for nursing practice. However, the 2005 U.S. survey of nurses revealed that they do not have requisite skills for EBP. PURPOSE AND GOALS: To evaluate a pedagogical approach aimed at (1) fostering undergraduate nursing students EBP competencies, and (2) identifying gaps in the literature to direct future women's health research.
  
  
  METHODS
  A secondary analysis of data abstracted from required EBP clinical journals for an undergraduate women's health course in which students (n = 198) were asked to find evidence to answer their clinical questions. Content analysis was used to identify main themes of the topics of inquiry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students identified 1,808 clinical questions and 30.3% (n = 547) of these could not be answered or supported by evidence in the literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This assignment was an important teaching and assessment tool for EBP. Questions reflected critical thinking and quest for in-depth knowledge to support nursing practice. Some students lacked skills in searching databases and a significant number of knowledge gaps were identified that can direct women's health research.
authors.affiliation: Midwifery Institute, Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Katy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dawley
authors.forename: Joan Rosen
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.forename: Patricia Dunphy
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Suplee
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McKeever
authors.forename: Gerri
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scherzer
mesh_terms: D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate; D004506:Education, Nursing; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009511:New England; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D016387:Women's Health