Last update:
25-Mar-2014

A number of factors have been documented that affect the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in health care, among which leadership and management have a crucial role. Frequently, the managers and the leaders are neither adequately informed regarding EBP nor sufficiently educated in the techniques of EBΡ adoption and implementation to be capable supporters of such efforts. Encouragement, provision of specific incentives and reward through positive feedback can be important steps during the familiarization of the healthcare personnel with the procedures of EBP implementation. Specifically, recently published evidence underlines the finding that a percentage of 73% of healthcare personnel consider the managerial role to be the most important factor for promoting research in the healthcare setting. In parallel, economic support for the provision of educational programs to benefit nurses during the process of familiarization with EBP should be a priority of managers. Because of the importance of EBP for the improvement of quality of care in healthcare settings, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the allocation of specific managerial and leadership roles to educated healthcare professionals who will lead the team is of crucial significance, as these leaders will promote the aim of securing the best possible conditions for the patients and the healthcare professionals and, by extension, for the organization itself.

Key words: Evidence-based practice, Healthcare quality, Implementation, Leadership, Management.