Evidence-based practice dynamic capabilities: a concept derivation and analysis

BACKGROUND: The environment of healthcare is complex and changeable, and the process of evidence-based practice is “dynamic”. Nurses are required to have dynamic capabilities that adjust to changes. However, there is no clear concept of dynamic capabilities in the field of evidence-based practice. The concept of dynamic capabilities needs to be derived from the management field and defined in evidence-based practice. METHODS: A Boolean search of the Web of Science, ProQuest, CINAHL, PubMed, and Emerald databases was conducted, and 35 articles met the inclusion criteria. The concept derivation and analysis strategy of Walker and Avant was used to form and define the concept of evidence-based practice dynamic capabilities. This method includes: selecting a concept, determining the aims of the analysis, identifying usages of the concept, determining the defining attributes, identifying antecedents, consequences, and allied concepts. RESULTS: Sensing capability, learning capability, integration capability, and coordination capability are attributes of the concept. The antecedents include personal and infrastructure related factors. The consequences include improved patient outcomes, reduced medical costs, and increased nurse job satisfaction. The allied concept is evidence-based practice competence. CONCLUSIONS: An operational definition of the concept was developed. The concept compensates for the shortcomings of the existing “evidence-based practice competence” concept and helps nursing managers establish a new perspective on the effective implementation of evidence-based practice.