title: Program evaluation of neuroscience competency programs to implement evidence-based practices.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Program evaluation is essential to help determine the success of an evidence-based practice program and assist with translating these processes across settings.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of 2 competency programs that sought to improve neurocritical care nurses' knowledge of and adherence to evidence-based stroke and spinal cord injury guidelines. These programs consisted of 3 specific implementation strategies, including local opinion leaders, printed educational materials, and educational outreach.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative study using one-on-one interviews with 10 neurocritical care nurses was used. Semi-structured interview questions examined the nurses' perceptions of the competency programs and the implementation strategies used; themes were identified through first-level coding. The transcripts were deductively analyzed and categorized using a predetermined implementation outcomes framework, including the concepts of acceptability, appropriateness, adoption, and sustainability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nurses reported that the 3 implementation strategies used for the competency programs were acceptable and appropriate. Further, the nurses perceived that the evidence-based practices reviewed during the programs were being adopted into practice and provided suggestions for sustaining improvements in nursing knowledge of and adherence to these evidence-based practices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings from this study support the success of the Stroke and Spinal Cord Injury Competency Programs, as well as the usefulness of the 3 implementation strategies used. This study provides insight for improvements for subsequent studies focused on implementing evidence-based practices.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Hospital, Durham, NC, USA.|Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Staci Sue
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Reynolds
authors.affiliation: University of Tennessee Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McLennon
authors.affiliation: Indiana University School of Nursing, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Patricia R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Ebright
authors.affiliation: Speech and Hearing Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Laura L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.affiliation: University of Cincinnati College of Nursing, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Tamilyn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bakas
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D064648:Critical Care Nursing / Q000592:standards; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology* / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000451:nursing*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000458:organization & administration*; D020521:Stroke / Q000451:nursing*
keywords: evidence-based practice; guidelines; implementation; nurse; outcomes; program evaluation