Effect of Evidence Based Practice Training Program on Professional Nurses’ Decision Making Abilities

Effective implementing of evidence based practice has potential benefits for professional nurses, patients, healthcare systems and reduces inappropriate deviations in healthcare practices, supplies a set of standards for enhancing clinical decision making abilities. Aim of the study: This study was aimed to assess of the effect of evidence based practice training program on professional nurses` decision making abilities. Design: A quasi experimental design was used in this study. Setting: This study was conducted at intensive care unit at Benha University Hospital and Benha Teaching Hospital. Subjects: A convenient sample of 68 professional nurses recruited from the presented units and had the following inclusion criteria; had a Bachelor degree in nursing science and willing to participate in the study. Tools for data collection: The study tools divided into four tools: Evidence-Based Knowledge Questionnaire, Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ), Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes Scale and Decision Making Abilities Questionnaire. The results showed that, there was statistically significant improvement among the professional nurses' knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding evidence based practice after implementation of the training program. There was highly statistical significant improvement in the professional nurses decision making abilities thorough program phases. As 40.7 % of them were able to make decision before the program which improved to 67.4% immediate post the program and decrease to 60.3% three months follow up the program. The study concludes that, the implementation of the Evidence-Based Practice training program was significantly succeeded in enhancing total knowledge, skills, and attitudes of professional nurses that significantly improves their decision-making abilities. The study recommended that: Conduct continuous in-service training and education programs for refreshing and updating professional nurses knowledge and skills about the evidence-based practice. A brief basic educational intervention on EBP with online and face-to-face learning can produce improvements in the knowledge and skills of clinical nurses.