Experiences with using a mobile application for learning evidence-based practice in health and social care education: An interpretive descriptive study

BACKGROUND: Health and social care students are expected to apply evidence-based practice (EBP). An innovative mobile application, EBPsteps, was developed to support learning EBP. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore health and social care students’ experiences of learning about EBP using the mobile application EBPsteps during their clinical placements. METHODS: An interpretive description approach guided the exploration of student experiences. Four focus groups were conducted with a convenience sample of students from three undergraduate degree programs: occupational therapy, physical therapy, and social education. The constant comparison method was used to categorize and compare the qualitative data. RESULTS: Three integrated themes were generated: "triggers for EBP", "barriers to EBP", and "design matters". Information needs, academic requirements, and encouragement from clinical instructors triggered the students to use EBPsteps. Lack of EBP knowledge, lack of academic demand, and lack of emphasis on EBP in clinical placement were barriers to using EBPsteps. Design issues mattered, as use of the app was motivated by design features such as the opportunity to practice EBP in one place and taking notes in a digital notebook. The use of the app was hindered by anticipation that the use of phones during clinical placements would be viewed negatively by others and by specific design features, such as unfamiliar icons. CONCLUSIONS: The students perceived the EBPsteps app as a relevant tool for learning EBP, although they also suggested specific changes to the design of the app. Requirements must be embedded in the curriculum to ensure that the app is used. Our findings bring important information to developing and implementing mobile applications as a teaching method in health and social care educations.