Evidence based practice among healthcare providers: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Nowadays health systems in most of the countries are trying to build their healthcare provision system based on scientific knowledge based evidence. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a crucial factor for quality improvement focusing on compliance with clinical standards. The purpose of this paper is to assess evidence-based knowledge and skills among healthcare providers in Qazvin hospitals in 2016.

Design/methodology/approach: This was a descriptive study conducted among 300 health professionals working in hospitals affiliated by Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in 2016. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data on health providers' attitude, knowledge and skill regarding EBP. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze data using SPSS 16 software.

Findings: A total of 254 participants (84.6 percent) completed the questionnaire in which their attitude, knowledge and skill toward EBP were assessed at a low level. Study results indicated that among different occupational groups, physicians and those with greater awareness toward EBP terminology had a more positive attitude compared with others. Furthermore, a higher level of knowledge and skill toward EBP was associated with being a physician and having a positive attitude toward the issue.

Practical implications: Given the importance of EBP and due to insufficient knowledge of healthcare providers about the issue, it is necessary to hold appropriate educational courses to empower health workforce in implementing EBP principles.

Originality/value: The authors applied a self-administered questionnaire to assess health workforce knowledge and skills toward EBP. The results obtaining from the analysis not only highlights weaknesses related to service providers' knowledge and capabilities to implement EBP but also reveals facilities required for realization of the subject in hospital settings.