Relationship between evidence‐based practice knowledge and skills and evidence‐based practice implementation in subgroups of professional and work environment factors among hospital nurses: A cross‐sectional study

Background While nurses' evidence‐based practice (EBP) knowledge and skills are critical for its implementation, various factors may act as effect modifiers, potentially influencing the strength of the relationship between EBP knowledge and skills and EBP implementation. Aim To quantitatively evaluate whether various professional and work environment factors modify the strength of the association between EBP knowledge and skills and EBP implementation. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted between June and September 2022 among 2672 nurses in Japan. EBP knowledge and skills and EBP implementation were measured using the Japanese version of the EBP Questionnaire. Professional factors, such as years of experience and position, and work environment factors such as organizational attitude toward EBP were measured. Multiple regression analyses evaluated whether the association between EBP knowledge and skills and implementation varied across subgroups. Results Seven hundred seventeen nurses (26.8%) were included in the final analysis. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, EBP knowledge and skills were positively associated with the EBP implementation. Among the seven factors tested, a statistically significant interaction effect on the relationship between EBP knowledge and skills and EBP implementation was observed only for organizational attitude toward EBP. Conclusions The findings suggest that the association between EBP knowledge and skills and implementation may vary depending on the level of organizational support. It may be beneficial for nurse managers and educators to consider integrating EBP into education frameworks to enhance access to EBP learning opportunities. Promoting a workplace culture that prioritizes EBP may also help strengthen its implementation in clinical settings.