A psychometric evaluation of the Vietnamese version of the Evidence‐Based Practice Attitudes and Beliefs Scales

Aim The aim of this study is to develop and to test the construct validity and reliability of the Vietnamese versions of the Evidence‐Based Practice Attitude and Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs scales. Methods This is a psychometric evaluation study. Three hundred and fifty‐three nurses and midwives were recruited from a national hospital in Vietnam from September to December 2018. Data were obtained from two scales. Content validity, face validity and construct validity measures were all conducted, whereas exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were performed from data collected from two cohorts of participants. Cronbach's alpha coefficient represented reliability, and data were analysed in SPSS 20 and AMOS 24. Results The four‐factor model developed with openness, requirements, appeal and divergence factors accounted for 55% of total variance in the Attitude scale. A three‐factor model labelled as value beliefs, knowledge beliefs and resource beliefs with 59% of total variance was explained in the Beliefs scale. Cronbach's α coefficients were .72 for the Attitude scale and .81 for the Beliefs scale. Conclusions The two scales could be used to assess Vietnamese nurses' attitudes and beliefs to adopt evidence‐based practice enabling hospitals to align individual and organizational goals for developing evidence‐based practice and enable comparison of the results with international samples. SUMMARY STATEMENT What is already known about this topic? The Evidence‐Based Practice Attitude scale and the Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs scale are developed and recognized as valid and reliable instruments. They have been translated and tested rigorously in different languages. What this paper adds? Supporting evidence was provided for construct validity and reliability of the Vietnamese versions of the Evidence‐Based Practice Attitude (V‐EBPA) and Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs (V‐EBPB) scales. A 14‐item four‐factor model of the V‐EBPA scale and a 13‐item three‐factor model of the V‐EBPB scale were suggested in this study. The implications of this paper: Attitude and beliefs of EBP are amenable to change while creating a learning environment or organizational culture in favour of EBP. Assessing results enabled comparison with international samples and establishment of appropriate benchmarks for EBP progress. Managers or leaders could tailor professionals' needs to allocate educational interventions and supportive resources for implementing EBP.