An attempt to improve nurses’ interest in and use of research in clinical practice by means of network support to ‘facilitator nurses’

Abstract

Background: Scientific knowledge is expected to be used in clinical practice to ensure that patients are given evidence-based nursing care. Therefore, in order to improve nurses' research utilisation in clinical practice a network had been provided for nurses especially interested in nursing development in eleven wards. These nurses were expected to take on the role of key person (facilitator) for nursing development in clinical practice. Aim:The study was aimed at describing nurses' interest in nursing research, how network support to 'facilitator nurses' could improve development in patient care based on evidence, and what hindering factors for such development could be. Methods:One and a half years after onset of the project a follow-up study was conducted with a questionnaire answered by 75 (64%) nurses, and group interviews with nine facilitators and eleven head nurses. Findings:The nurses' interest in research utilisation was in general high and in eight wards development work had started. The facilitator nurses had mostly worked without involving their colleagues. Hindering factors for nursing development were related to time, EBP knowledge, involvement and the interest of head nurses and colleagues. Education, work place, previous participation in research projects, and participation in the network impacted positively on nurses' attitudes to and interest in research. Conclusion and implication for clinical practice:Providing networks to 'facilitator nurses' in the ward could be useful for developing nursing care based on research findings. However, support from nurse leaders, involvement of the whole nursing staff, and training in research utilisation are important factors for success.

Strategies to successfully recruit and engage clinical nurses as participants in qualitative clinical research

“…Knowledge of the clinical area also helped the researchers understand the competing demands of nurses' time, and enabled the researchers to pre-empt and find ways to work within these limitations. Understanding the culture of the wards and how to engage with the clinicians is a benefit, and the researcher must aim for a collaborative approach to gain good research outcomes (Björkström, et al, 2014;Higgins, et al, 2010). Previous research has noted that understanding the workloads and concerns of the workplace has a positive influence when organising clinical research (Broyles, et al, 2011;Shaha, et al, 2011).…”

“…The challenges of recruiting nurses in non-clinical work are well documented, for example: busy workloads, staff shortages, and complex patients (Björkström, et al, 2014). The nursing focus and available time is dedicated to the delivery of competent complex patient care and, thus, participation in research may be viewed as a low priority.…”

“…Previous studies have highlighted that the nurses' attitude to research is influenced by work environment and previous knowledge about research (Björkström, Johansson, & Athlin, 2014;Staffileno & Carlson, 2010). To improve nurses' understanding and engagement in the research process, a framework of collaboration, support and empowerment has been suggested; this provides an open and informed process to conduct and engage nurses in research (Björkström, et al, 2014;Wintersgill & Wheeler, 2012). The purpose of this article is to describe strategies to improve recruitment of nurses as participants in research.…”

“…The clinicians do not always understand the process and timeframes of research and see it only as a barrier to timely completion of their patient assignment. Education sessions and engagement with the clinicians has improved the research process when asking clinicians to be the main collectors of patient data (Björkström, et al, 2014;Bullen, et al, 2014).…”

Odnos diplomiranih medicinskih sester, zaposlenih v zdravstveni dejavnosti na primarni in terciarni ravni, do raziskovanja v zdravstveni negi

“…V kvantitativni raziskavi smo za raziskovalni instrument uporabili vprašalnik, sestavljen iz Likertove lestvice stališč in vprašanj zaprtega tipa. Vprašalnik je bil oblikovan za namen raziskave na osnovi pregleda literature in že izvedenih raziskav s tega področja (McCloskey, 2008;Akerjordet, et al, 2012;Strojan, et al, 2012;Berthelsen & Hølge-Hazelton, 2014;Björkström, et al, 2014).…”