Factors influencing the effectiveness of audit and feedback: nurses' perceptions

Aim To explore the perceptions of nurses in an acute care setting on factors influencing the effectiveness of audit and feedback. Background Audit and feedback is widely used and recommended in nursing to promote evidence-based practice and to improve care quality. Yet the literature has shown a limited to modest effect at most. Audit and feedback will continue to be unreliable until we learn what influences its effectiveness. Method A qualitative study was conducted using individual, semi-structured interviews with 14 registered nurses in an acute care teaching hospital in Montreal, Canada. Results Three themes were identified: the relevance of audit and feedback, particularly understanding the purpose of audit and feedback and the prioritisation of audit criteria; the audit and feedback process, including its timing and feedback characteristics; and individual factors, such as personality and perceived accountability. Conclusion According to participants, they were likely to have a better response to audit and feedback when they perceived that it was relevant and that the process fitted their preferences. Implications for nursing management This study benefits nursing leaders and managers involved in quality improvement by providing a better understanding of nurses' perceptions on how best to use audit and feedback as a strategy to promote evidence-based practice.