Effects of an evidence-based practice education program using multifaceted interventions: a quasi-experimental study with undergraduate nursing students

BackgroundAlthough Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) should be introduced early on in nursing education to develop students' independence and self-learning ability, there are few such courses for undergraduate nursing students in Korea. This study examined the effects of the EBP education program for undergraduate nursing students (EBP-EPUNS) on nursing students' knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies, and future use of EBP.MethodsA quasi-experimental study design with pre-test, intervention, and post-test was used. The participants were 44 nursing students (experimental: 22, control: 22). A 20-h long EBP-EPUNS consisting of 5-step EBP components was provided through 8 sessions spread across 4weeks.ResultsAn independent t-test and a repeated-measures ANOVA showed that the experimental group had statistically significant higher post-test scores on EBP knowledge (p<0.001), skills (p<0.001), attitudes (p<0.001), competencies (p<0.001), future use of EBP (p=0.001), and critical thinking (p<0.001), compared to the control group.ConclusionThe EBP education program was effective in improving the knowledge, skills, attitudes, competencies, and future use of EBP among nursing students. Hence, we recommend the EBP education program as a general education course for undergraduate nursing students to promote needed proficiency in EBP.