Enablers to getting evidence into practice

The likelihood of introducing positive and sustainable change in practice depends on several factors or ‘enablers’. The way the individual ‘enablers’ interact with each also affects the amount of change.

More detail on each of the enablers can be found below.

Enabling factor	Type of enablers	Examples
The change itself	Feasibility Credibility Accessibility Attractiveness	Likely to save time, energy, and resources Published evidence of proven benefit Has worked in other environments Able to be incorporated into existing systems
The patient	Knowledge Skills Attitude	Expectations of care or dissatisfaction with current situation Ability to lobby for change (such as consumer organisations for maternity services) Positive feedback from patients about change
The individual professional	Awareness Knowledge Attitude Motivation to change Behavioural	Competency in relation to information management skills Motivated and appropriately skilled to incorporate evidence into practice Understanding of the EBP process and the ability to use research and implement change Willingness to investigate clinical questions
The workplace culture	Opinions of colleagues Collaboration Leadership	Local leaders and clinical champions Multidisciplinary team approach Enthusiasm for change
The organisational culture	Processes Staff Capacity Resources	Protected time to investigate evidence and plan / monitor change Department / Management support for EBP Adequate capacity: resources and skills to implement change
The economic and political context	Financial arrangements Regulations Policies	Government initiatives Government funding for new drugs Local or national policy