RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study was done to compare heat applications by nurses in accordance to belief in evidence-based practice and behavior intention related to research. METHODS: A cross-section survey design was used. Participants were 228 nurses from 5 institutions who completed the research questionnaire. Data were collected during July and August 2015. RESULTS: The nurses reported that duration of heat applications was 2.5 minutes to 90 minutes. Frequently used heat application devices, in order of frequency, were rubber bag, gel pack and red clay pack. Most of the nurses (78%) responded that advice from colleagues was the most frequently used basic evidence for heat application. There was a statistically significant difference for the necessity of heat application practice guidelines between the high evidence-based practice belief cluster and the low cluster (χ²=15.39, p<.001). CONCLUSION: There were difficulties in providing consistent nursing interventions because of practical differences and absence of evidence-based guidelines for heat application. The researchers recommend that basic studies with various instruments be conducted and proper practice guidelines developed for heat application.