A Comprehensive Review of Tools Assessing Evidence-Based Practice Among Nurses

Introduction: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a cornerstone of high-quality nursing care, integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. Despite its recognized benefits, challenges such as limited access to resources, organizational barriers, and cultural differences hinder its consistent implementation. Measuring EBP competencies among nurses is essential for identifying gaps and enhancing practice; however, existing instruments vary in their validity, reliability, and contextual applicability. This review aimed to identify and analyze the range of available instruments, evaluate their psychometric properties, and explore the extent to which they capture context-specific challenges and cultural nuances. Methodology: A scoping review was conducted in May 2025, searching PubMed and CINAHL databases for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Keywords included "Evidence-based practice questionnaire," "Nursing," “Health care”, "Psychometric Properties", “Validity”, “Reliability,” and “Barriers.” Inclusion criteria focused on studies involving nurses, student nurses, or health professionals, quantitative methodologies, and instruments with reported validity or reliability. Out of 285 initially identified articles, 24 met the eligibility criteria. Results: Twelve distinct EBP measurement tools were identified, with most demonstrating strong internal consistency (Cronbach’s α: 0.69–0.984). The Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ) and its adaptations (e.g., Indonesian, Chinese versions) were widely used, though some subscales, such as attitudes, showed lower reliability. Instruments like the Evidence-Based Practice Competence Questionnaire of Registered Nurses (EBP-COQ-Prof©) and EBP Beliefs Scale measured multidimensional constructs, including knowledge, skills, and organizational readiness. Key limitations of the tools included reliance on self-reported data, lack of performance-based indicators, and insufficient adaptation for low-resource or culturally diverse settings. Conclusion: While existing EBP instruments exhibit robust psychometric properties, their applicability is often constrained by cultural, contextual, and methodological limitations. The review emphasizes the need for a tailored, context-specific tool that addresses organizational readiness, cultural relevance, and longitudinal validity to better support EBP implementation in nursing practice globally. Future research should prioritize developing such instruments to bridge existing gaps and enhance EBP adoption.