Barriers and facilitators to the implementation of evidence-based practice by pediatric surgeons.

Background/purpose: Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been identified as a foundation of mainstream medical practice, yet pediatric surgery has been slow in the acceptance and implementation of EBP.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews of 14 pediatric surgeons were conducted to determine barriers and facilitators to EBP. Resulting data were analyzed using a systematic 3-step approached of coding, generation of specific beliefs, and identification of domains relevant to practice change.

Results: Six domains were identified as relevant to changing pediatric surgeons' use of evidence in practice: environmental context and resources, goals, knowledge, skills, social influence, and social/professional role and identity. Important barriers to EBP implementation included time constrains and resource limitations, the general poor quality of evidence in pediatric surgery, a lack of required skills, and a culture that continues to rely on an apprenticeship style of teaching. Facilitators include working in a research hospital, and having a local champion/ peers that support EBP implementation. There were conflicting thoughts as to whether working as a group facilitated or impeded EBP.

Conclusions: Pediatric surgeons' use of research evidence in practice is influenced by a number of domains. These results may be used to inform the design of behavior change interventions intended to encourage EBP implementation.

Levels Of Evidence: Level V.