An exploratory study of research utilization by nurses in general medical and surgical wards

Abstract

An exploratory study into research utilization is described. Firstly an agreed definition of research utilization was arrived at through consultation with a range of nurses in both academia and clinical practice. Potential factors that may influence research utilization were identified through a review of current research on research utilization and through a period of fieldwork carried out on two hospital wards in Scotland. The findings indicate that research utilization appears to be a complicated issue and cannot be decontextualized or fractionated in order to lead to an understanding but must address multiple factors simultaneously. This paper refers to research that may be utilized in clinical nursing practice rather than in education or nursing management. The impact of research in clinical practice on education and nursing management is not discounted but the focus of this study is on the influence that research may have on the actual delivery of patient care and, in this sense, education and management developments are encompassed.

Preparing for professional practice: How well does professional training equip health and social care practitioners to engage in evidence-based practice?

“…This is a design that has been used widely in the development of knowledge in relation to how professionals engage in evidence-based practice, and what enhances and constrains this engagement. There have been a number of surveys of nurses' attitudes to and use of research (Rodgers, 1994(Rodgers, , 2000aMcSherry, 1997;Parahoo, 1999), as well as of other professional groups (Booth et al, 2003;Zipoli and Kennedy, 2005;Cameron et al, 2005). Similarly there have also been surveys of barriers to nurses' research utilization (Webster et al, 2003) and that of other professional groups (Humphris et al, 2000;Curtin and Jaramazovic, 2001).…”

Characteristics of the innovation, organization, environment and individual that facilitate the utilization of five systematic overviews among public health decision-makers in Ontario

“…-A number of research utilization studies also supported the finding that complexity of research evidence was positiveiy associated with research utilization (Hunt, 1981;Rodgers, 1994), organizations that have aIready adopted the innovation. This type of bandwagon pressure is likely to exist among public health units, particularly when competition for limited resources exists.…”

“…(Greer, 1977;Hage et al, 1967;Kaluzny, 1974;Rodgers, 1994 Aithough there exists in the literature some ambiguity as to the impact of the organizational decision-making process on innovation behaviour. there was enough evidence supponing some type of relationship between these two factors to warrant hrther examination in this study.…”

“…A number of studies have demonstroted organizational size as an important predictor of innovation (Kaluzny et al, 1974;Lewis et al. 1993)-Other studies have suggested that the location of the organization, such as urban or rural was a major influencing factor (Rodgers, 1994). In addition available (slack) resources have been shown to be positively associated with organizational innovation (Milio.…”

Research and perspectives on criteria for evaluation of nursing research achievements

“…RU is derived from early exploratory research by Rodgers 6 and refers to the process of applying researchbased knowledge to clinical practice.…”