Experiences of Nurse Managers regarding evidencebased practice in two public healthcare facilities in the Northern Cape Province

Introduction and background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an approach to providing healthcare which combines the best scientific evidence with healthcare professionals’ proficiency and patients' desires and values. To reap the benefits of this approach, which has been proven to bring about great benefits for patients, the key role players must be identified, and the level of their experiences with EPB must thus be explored. Nurse Managers who are at the helm and lead care delivery are best positioned to influence EBP implementation and cultivate an EBP culture and practices. Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study, contextual in nature, was used. The study was conducted in two public healthcare facilities in the Northern Cape Province. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used and included twenty-one Nurse Managers. Data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews. Face-to-face interviews were conducted utilising exploratory questions for the purpose of gaining an insightful comprehension and gathering rich data. Data was thematically analysed, with an independent coder assisting and verifying the process. The Belmont Report and the Helsinki Ethical Principles Declaration were used to apply the ethical principles. The Health Research Committee of Stellenbosch University provided ethical clearance. The office of the Head of the Northern Cape Health Department gave institutional permission. Results: Four themes and 14 sub-themes emerged from the data. The study findings revealed that participants had different perceptions about EBP; some identified EBP as research, and others as a concept that is important to the delivery of healthcare. Different types of evidence guided their evidence-based decisions, which included research, articles, the internet, guidance from doctors, peers and traditional practice. Lack of knowledge, individual and organisational barriers were identified in the study. The individual barriers originated from the lack of motivation due to low staff morale. The participants indicated that nurses have no determination to learn, no interest in training, and have doctors guide their practice without questioning. Resistance to change further prevented EBP adoption. The organisational barriers included a lack of finance, a shortage of staff, and financial and equipment constraints. Lack of time was another barrier because of other competing activities staff must engage in. The study further revealed a number of facilitators which incorporated tools to guide decision making, such as audit meetings, policies, standard operating procedures and guidelines. Monitoring and evaluation to facilitate quality initiatives by making use of compliance tools, statistical data, patient satisfaction tools and quality improvement plans were viewed as facilitators. Collaboration and benchmarking were indicated to implement and sustain EBP. Training and development facilitated through EBP champions for EBP improvement was suggested. Nurse managers recognised that continuous professional development, resources and infrastructure improvement. and leadership in the form of improved clinical governance are necessary to sustain EBP in clinical practice. Conclusion: The success of EBP is dependent upon the Nurse Manager and her team’s knowledge and research skills pertaining to EBP. Further to this, the Nurse Manager must have insight into the facilitators to improve EBP and barriers which might hamper EBP implementation.

Grantor dc:publisher

Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Francis, Jennifer Rose Laureen

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Jordan, Portia
• Sileshi, M.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135993

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135993