Aim: The study aimed to explore existing literatures in order to identify the determinants influencing the implementation of evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making among nurses.
Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted, articles from Google Scholar, Mendeley and PubMed were searched from 2016 upward. The reference lists of the included articles were also searched for more relevant studies. A descriptive theoretical and empirical literature analysis was done to explain the determinants of adoption of evidence-based practice in clinical decision-making among nurses.
Results: Findings suggested that evidence-based practice is still at its early stage in Africa when compared to developing nations. In addition, factors that determine the adoption of EBP, especially in developing countries include limited time, the high burden of diseases with respect to limited resources, limited support from leaders in the profession, organization and government; adoption strategies which include the provision of practice guidelines to nurses, sponsorship for EBP-related training, identifying mentorship role in the adoption of evidence-based practice has been revealed as effective strategies in adopting EBP in clinical decision making among nurses. In addition, limited or lack of training on the aspect of health institutions and inadequate knowledge has been acknowledged as the common barrier to the utilization of EBP in clinical decision-making among nurses.
Conclusion: Conclusively, it was identified that there is a wide gap between knowledge and implementation of EBP in clinical decision making among nurses, it is therefore pertinent that relevant factors and strategies influencing adoption of EBP in clinical decision-making nurses be made available or introduced.
Keywords: Determinants, adoption, evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making, nurses.