Evidence-Based Practice Self-efficacy Scale Preliminary Reliability and Validity

Purpose: This study examined reliability and validity of the researcher-developed 17-item Evidence-Based Practice Self-efficacy (EBPSE) scale. Design: A quasi-experimental, pretest/posttest design with comparison group was applied. Setting: Setting included inpatient, ambulatory, long-term care, and hospice units from a large US academic medical center and affiliated sites (n = 14). Sample: Two cohorts of staff (26%) and leadership nurses (74%) participated in a 1-year educational program on clinical informatics and evidence-based practice (EBP) (cohort 1, n = 53, 2007-2008; cohort 2, n = 40, 2008-2009). Methods: The EBPSE scale involves a 1% to 100% response scale, with higher scores indicating greater self-efficacy. Both cohorts completed the EBPSE scale at baseline (time 1) and after the clinical informatics content (time 2); cohort 1 also completed the scale at program completion after delivery of EBP content (time 3). Analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings: Missing data ranged from 10% to 17% for participants at time 2 and 43% for cohort 1 at time 3. Cronbach a coefficients ranged from .95 to .98 across time and cohorts. Baseline and time 2 average EBPSE scale scores did not differ between cohorts. Average scores increased significantly [P < .01) from time I to time 2 (all participants) and time 2 to time 3 (cohort 1). Conclusions: Findings suggest promise for the EBPSE scale as a measure of EBPSE and target for practice improvements. Further study is needed with a larger small sample and less attrition. Implications: The EBPSE scale may foster leading EBP and mentoring nursing staff.