Information retrieval as a part of evidence-based practice: Retrieval skills, behavior and needs among nurses at a large university hospital

Nurses are required to apply research-based knowledge in order to perform evidence-based practice. A survey was conducted to identify nurses’ information-retrieval skills, behavior and needs and replies were received from 1301 nurses. The most used electronic resources for retrieval of healthcare information were the local intra-net and Google, while bibliographic databases were used to a lesser extent. Half of the respondents indicated that they were accustomed to search databases and an equal number indicated lack of time and that information retrieval was not requested by their colleagues. The majority assessed their own information-retrieval skills as good while one third lacked knowledge and described information retrieval as difficult. Significant differences in competences and use of bibliographic databases were found between nurses who had graduated before and after an educational reform in 2011. Further measures, including collaborations between librarians and nurse management, must be developed to support information literacy and evidence-based practice among nurses.