Understanding Evidence Based Nursing: Validating the Factor Structure in a Binational Multicentre Study

A better understanding of evidence-based nursing (EBN), which builds on the principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM), could serve as a good preparation for handling Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) in nursing and improving EBN practice. This study builds upon previous research that explored the dimensions of EBN, identifying and operationalising the three dimensions: “Knowledge”, “Trust” and “Practice”. It therefore aimed at validating these dimensions in a binational and multicentred setting. To this end, answers of 402 nurses from Germany and Switzerland in a previously developed EBN questionnaire were analysed by factor analysis. This study revealed a factor structure that was identical to the three dimensions “Trust”, coupled with motivation, importance, attitude towards quality of care, and use, “Knowledge”, coupled with attitude and behaviour and “Practice”, coupled with team, patient, and knowledge orientation. It explained 52.9% of the variance. Factor scores did not differ between the two countries. The consistency of results across the different institutions underscores the robustness of this factor structure. The identified factors match the findings reported in other studies, however, their operationalisation differs noticeably. Future studies should aim to compare measurement instruments and develop a unified tool that enables standardised assessment of EBN to improve its practice and leverage CDSS use.