Development and Psychometric Properties of the Evidence-based Professional Practice Scale (EBPP-S)

Abstract

Objective: Evidence based-practice (EBP) is now being integrated into many systems of health care. To date, little research has been conducted in Puerto Rico regarding EBP. A brief measure of health provider for Evidence Based Professional Practice-Scale (EBPP-S) was developed to measure attitudes, behaviors and knowledge. Methods: The study consisted in two phases. In the first phase the scale was developed and exploratory factor analyses (EFA) were conducted (n = 65). In the second phase, the EFA model was tested in another sample (n = 86) using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Both samples were drawn from mental health service providers. Results: Three factors of the EBPP-S were identified in the first phase (1) attitudes, (2) behaviors, and (3) knowledge. The internal reliability for the 43-item scale using the Cronbach’s α was .93. The principal dimensions of the scale were analyzed using a CFA. A three-factor model with 17 items was supported by the data. The results showed an internal consistency of .88 for the 17-item version of the scale. Conclusion: The preliminary results for the EBPP-S are promising and the use of this scale to measure evidence based-practice is discussed.