How Far is The Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice in Midwifery Care?

Abstract

The results of the study become the important evidence-based information on quality health care. Evidence-based practice (EBP) provides knowledge and skills that influence midwives in assessing, making decisions, and behaving in clinical practice. However, the implementation of EBP still finds barriers and must be resolved through the best strategy. The research aims to synthesize research articles that explore the implementation of evidence-based practice in midwifery care. A scoping review method adopts the Arksey and O'Malley framework (2005) in 5 stages. Inclusion criteria are original articles published between 2009-2019 in English or Indonesian. The database uses PubMed, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, ProQuest, Wiley, and search engines (Google Scholar). The critical appraisal in this study uses Joanna Briggs Institute to measure the quality of each article reviewed. The researchers synthesized 11 articles that reviewed the implementation of evidence-based practices according to the criteria. There are 6 articles from developed countries and 5 articles from developing countries. Five themes found in the study include knowledge sources, influencing factors, benefits, barriers, and strategies in implementing evidence-based practice. Midwives' low attitudes and beliefs to implement changes in practice are seen as the major obstacle. This is due to the limited knowledge and skills in utilizing the results of research as the best evidence. Moreover, there are not many articles that discuss strategies to improve skills and knowledge in finding, understanding, and criticizing research results in midwifery care. In addition, researches on the implementation of EBP in midwifery care are still limited. Therefore, strategies are needed to increase the knowledge and skills of midwives in finding, understanding, and criticizing research results. One way is providing ongoing training and evaluation both before and after training.