Engaging Clinicians in Research: Issues to Consider

Abstract

The beginning of nursing research is attributed to Florence Nightingale whose research during the Crimean War in the 1850s ultimately shaped health care, including nursing practice. Modern research, like clinical care, is influenced by technological, societal, organisational and environmental changes. However, 'nursing research' is a simple term that may not encompass complex inter-related concepts and practices and various research methods: quantitative, qualitative, implementation science, evaluation and audit. All research methods follow a similar basic 'research process,' but the way the process is applied and rigor is demonstrated differs among the methods. All nurses must engage in research on some level, given they practice in a climate of evidence-based care and are expected to adhere to evidence-based protocols and guidelines. In addition, they need to be able to implement evidence-based best practice and use clinical judgement to treat each person as an individual.

An Integrative Review of Engaging Clinical Nurses in Nursing Research

“…The nursing literature is robust in reporting the challenges for engaging clinical staff in nursing research. Several articles (Chien, Bai, Wong, Wang, & Lu, 2013;Dunning, 2013;Hagan & Walden, 2015;Sanjari, Baradaran, Aalaa, & Mehrdad, 2015;Silka, Stombaugh, Horton, & Daniels, 2012) highlight barriers, which include lack of time, insufficient knowledge or authority, and the perceived absence of organizational leadership support. While time and resources are known to be limited in all levels and roles of nursing, the literature also has shown some differences regarding the facilitators related to nursing research.…”

Nurses and their Ongoing Engagement in Nursing Research: A Brief Commentary

“…This brief commentary is in response to the article titled: Engaging clinicians in research: Issues to consider [1]. The article presented an overview of nursing research that included the various definitions of nursing research, a synopsis of the paradigms associated with nursing research, and a brief presentation of how nurses can engage in research.…”

Stories and Music for Adolescent/Young Adult Resilience During Transplant Partnerships

“…Involvement of clinical nurse partners is often helpful in supporting the recruitment and retention goals of any research study. 8 …”

“…Other identified barriers in the literature include: (a) lack of confidence in their ability to participate in a research study, (b) lack of understanding of nursing research design and methods, (c) perceived role conflict as both a researcher and clinical nurse, (d) challenges of gaining the cooperation of clinical nursing staff to comply with clinical trial protocols, (e) difficulties in maintaining clinical research team motivation, (f) lack of relevant, clinically focused research findings to implement (i.e., results are viewed as not useful for their practice), and (g) limited mentorship opportunities with a nurse scientist who has release time from other academic responsibilities. 8,12,14,15,16 …”