Barriers to and Facilitators of Nurses ‘Adherence to Clinical Practice Guidelines: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background

Guidelines for clinical practice are needed in order for nurses to provide consistent, standardized care and avoid preventable harm.

Aims

The present study aims to explore the barriers to and facilitators of nurses ‘adherence to clinical practice guidelines.

Methods

Detailed semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 nurses from two educational hospitals in Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran, about their involvement with clinical practice guidelines. The text of the interviews was analyzed by qualitative content analysis.

Findings

Identified barriers to full adherence to clinical practice guidelines were work pressure, lack of facilities, paperwork, lack of motivational environment, and nonapplicability of guidelines. Facilitators identified were encouragement, improving working conditions, conscientiousness, training, and supervision.

Conclusion

Interventions to remove barriers to and provide facilitators of adherence to clinical practice guidelines should be designed and implemented. Removing organizational barriers is the responsibility of nursing managers.

Keywords

clinical practice guidelines nurse qualitative study adherence

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