Overcoming barriers to evidence-based practice – Lessons learned from DongZhiMen Hospital and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) School of Nursing

DongZhiMen Hospital and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) School of Nursing are international BPSOs in Beijing, China. They identified barriers to the use of evidence in practice including heavy workloads, cultural differences and reluctant attitudes about using evidence to inform practice. The assessment and identification of barriers allowed change teams to develop effective strategies for implementation with the input of stakeholders.

For example, for the implementation of the RNAO best practice guideline Assessment and management of foot ulcers for people with diabetes, barriers included

• nursing shortages across China,
• a lack of training to support the development of knowledge and skills in evidence-based nursing practice,
• the costs of guideline implementation. and
• practice recommendations that exceeded local nursing scope.

SOURCE: Transforming Nursing Through Knowledge, 2018.