Informatics competency, attitudes toward evidence-based practice, and clinical decision-making skills in nurses.

Abstract

Background: Nurses' clinical decision-making skills are vital for ensuring safe care and achieving optimal patient outcomes. Similarly, evidence-based practice improves quality of care and standardizes nursing services. Research is needed to examine factors affecting these skills. Objective: This study examined the relationship between informatics competency, attitudes toward evidence-based practice, and clinical decision-making skills among nurses. Method: This descriptive correlational study was conducted in 2024 with 300 nurses from hospitals affiliated with Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran. Data were collected using questionnaires on demographic information, informatics competency, attitudes toward evidence-based practice, and clinical decision-making skills. Data were analyzed using SPSS-25 software at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between informatics competency (and its components), clinical decision-making skills, and evidence-based practice in the studied nurses. Informatics competency predicted about 26% of the variance in clinical decision-making skills and 20% of the variance in attitudes toward evidence-based practice. Conclusion: Nurse managers should implement targeted interventions to enhance informatics competency and improve attitudes toward evidence-based practice and decision-making skills.