Six-Month Follow-up of a Regional Evidence-based Practice Fellowship Program.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined a 6-month follow-up of a regional evidence-based practice (EBP) fellowship program and the predictors of EBP adoption at hospital units.


BACKGROUND
The immediate beneficial effects of a regional EBP program are known, but the medium-term effects are not certain.


METHODS
A matched pretest/posttest study was conducted using a mailed questionnaire 6 months after the completion of a 9-month regional EBP fellowship program among 3 annual cohorts of participants.


RESULTS
Statistically significant improvements in the mean scores of EBP beliefs, EBP implementation, and group cohesion were found (P < .05). Of the 47 participants who completed their EBP projects, more than three-quarters reported EBP adoption at their own hospital units, and EBP beliefs were a positive predictor of EBP adoption (odds ratio, 1.12; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.22; P = .017).


CONCLUSIONS
The outcome improvements continued 6 months after the fellowship program, and strong EBP beliefs predicted EBP adoption in the participants' units.
Author Affiliations: Professor (Dr Kim), St. David's School of Nursing, Texas State University, Round Rock; Professor Emerita, San Diego State University; and Consultant, Research and Professional Development, Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Infants (Dr Stichler); and Director of Research, Education, and Professional Practice (Dr Ecoff), Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego; Director of Nursing Education, Research, and Professional Practice (Dr Gallo), Sharp Grossmont Hospital, La Mesa; and EBP/Research Nurse Liaison (Dr Davidson), University of California San Diego Health System, San Diego, California.
Son Chae
SC
Kim
Jaynelle F
JF
Stichler
Laurie
L
Ecoff
Ana-Maria
AM
Gallo
Judy E
JE
Davidson
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000193:education*; D005257:Fellowships and Scholarships / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States