CHALLENGES OF EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN NIGERIA

The use of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in health care delivery is on the increase in Europe, North America and Australia. EBP has developed from Evidence-Based Medicine and has taken centre stage in health care delivery in the past two decades. EBP is seen as the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. This paper discusses some of the advantages of EBP if adopted in health care delivery in Nigeria. The paper also examines the unique challenges of the absence of EBP in nursing curriculum, technological infrastructure, changing practice, library facilities, leadership and funding issues. The paper finally reflects on some strategies to overcome these challenges. Objectives of the paper This Paper aimed at identifying the factors responsible for the challenges of evidence-based practice in Nigeria. To ascertain why evidence-based practice is not in use in Nigeria. To determine the challenges of evidence-based practice in Nigeria. To suggest the way forward