Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice Among Ophthalmology Nurses in Pangasinan: A Phenomenological Study

Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is widely recognized as an essential component of safe, high-quality, and patient-centered nursing care because it integrates current research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences in clinical decision-making. Despite its importance, the implementation of EBP in specialized fields such as ophthalmology nursing remains inconsistent due to professional and organizational challenges. This study explored the lived experiences of ophthalmology nurses regarding the barriers and support systems influencing the implementation of EBP in clinical practice. Specifically, it examined the challenges affecting EBP utilization, the workplace support systems that assist nurses in applying evidence-based care, the influence of EBP on clinical decision-making and patient care, and the meanings nurses attribute to EBP in their daily professional practice. The study employed a qualitative descriptive-phenomenological approach, using Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological analysis. purposively ten (10) ophthalmology nurses from selected public and private hospitals and ophthalmology clinics in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, and nearby areas were selected. Data were gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews and analyzed through systematic extraction of significant statements, formulation of meanings, clustering of themes, and exhaustive thematic description. Four major themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Structural and Professional Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice, (2) Organizational and Collaborative Support Systems in EBP Implementation, (3) Influence of Evidence-Based Practice on Clinical Decision-Making and Patient Care, and (4) Evidence-Based Practice as a Foundation for Safe Ophthalmic Nursing Care. Findings revealed that ophthalmology nurses value EBP as a guide for safe and effective patient care; however, inadequate specialty-specific training, limited access to resources, workload pressures, and insufficient institutional support continue to affect its consistent implementation. The study highlights the importance of strengthening professional development, mentorship, leadership support, and access to evidence-based resources to improve the utilization of evidence and promote safer, high-quality ophthalmology nursing practice.