Portuguese version of the evidence-based practice questionnaire

Abstract

1. Objectives: Evidence-based practice is defined as the process by which nurses make clinical decisions using the best available scientific evidence, according with their clinical experience and patient preferences in the context of available resources. The Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ) developed by Upton & Upton (2006) was designed to collect information and opinions on the use of evidence-based practices by health professionals and is validating its important so that it can be utilized in a generalized mode. Its application is now currently and several versions are available in most common languages. This study aims to present and describe the exploratory process of linguistic and cultural validation for the Portuguese population of the EBPQ, including the review of its psychometric properties. 2. Methods: We developed a cross-sectional study. For linguistic and cultural adaptation was made a translation and a retroversion according to the usual standards. To determining the psychometric characteristics of EBPQ we used the Principal Component Analysis with orthogonal Varimax rotation method. Internal consistency was assessed by Cronbach’s alpha value. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0, and data collection occurred between December 2013 and February 2014. 3. Results: 358 subjects participated, nurses to exercise clinical practice at an Academic Hospital Centre, corresponding to a response rate of 36 %. The majority were female (76.5 %) and the predominant age group 30-39 years (47.2 %). The version in this study had 24 items and three subscales: Practices (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.84); Attitudes (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.75); Knowledge / Skills and Competencies (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.95) and has an overall internal consistency of Cronbach’s alpha = 0.839. The principal components analysis suggests five dimensions that explain 65.78% of total variance, however, forcing the three dimensions, in line with the authors proposal at the original questionnaire and rejecting one item for presenting an anomalous behaviour of overlap in components 1 and 2, we obtain a final value of Cronbach’s alpha = 0.74 in this case being explained 55.86% of the total variance. 4. Discussion: The analysis showed empirical evidence that the Portuguese version of the questionnaire is valid and suitable for use in the context studied. This being an exploratory approach, it is expected a further refinement of the analysis in order to obtain and present a definitive final version of EBPQ allowing systematized use and dissemination. This will be important by allowing nurses and other health care team responsible to identify several skills/competences, attitudes and practices to be developed for the implementation of evidence-based nursing.