Background: The online database is an Internet-based resource for evidence-based practice (EBP). It offers an easy access to EBP information and facilitates the integration of evidence into practice by providing summarized recommendations for clinical services. Objectives: This study aims to understand the motives of health professionals in the use of online database. Methods: A constructed questionnaire survey was carried out to examine the correlation of access to online evidence retrieval systems with the motivation among 2975 nationwide representatives in the regional teaching hospitals of Taiwan. Statistical analysis was performed by chi square test using commercial available software. Results: The most common motivation to access the online database was class assignment (62.2%), followed by searching information for clinical practice (56.1%), instruction preparation (37.8%), personal interest (28.3%), research need (22.4%), contest for literature search and critical appraisal (18.9%), and medical accreditation (11.1%). In addition, the motives among health professionals who accessed the Cochrane Librarywere associated with searching information for clinical practice, class assignment, instruction preparation, personal interest, research need, and medical accreditation (P & 0.01). Furthermore, the health professionals who had positive belief, attitudes, knowledge or skills of EBP more often accessed the online databases to search information for clinical practice (P & 0.01). Conclusions: The current study depicts the motivations of the access to online databases among the health professionals of the regional hospitals in Taiwan. The data lead to the suggestion that continuous education can accelerate the application of online evidence database and further enhance the implementation of EBP.