How research and evidence-based practice education affect students’ knowledge and attitudes

Background/Aims:
Research and evidence are a key part of the midwife's role and pre-registration midwifery education. This literature review aimed to identify what was known about research/evidence-based practice pedagogy in midwifery and nursing programmes; specifically, how this type of education is facilitated and how learning about research/evidence-based practice affects students' knowledge and attitudes.

Methods:
Databases were reviewed to identify papers published between 2009 and 2024. Findings were synthesised into overarching themes, integrating the data from 38 papers, which included a sample of pre-registration midwifery or nursing students.

Results:
Research and evidence-based practice education is provided via a structured learning pathway, through participating in the research process or via specific pedagogical activities or exercises. Learning about research and evidence-based practice positively affects students' knowledge of and attitudes to these concepts.

Conclusions:
Research and evidence-based practice can be taught in multiple ways, positively affecting students' knowledge and attitudes. However, a paucity of research explores this from the UK student midwife's perspective and this area needs further exploration.
Implications for practice

Educators must ensure that they review the pedagogical approaches they use to effectively increase students' opinions of research and evidence-based practice.