Research in the Rehabilitation Unit Presents Challenges to Nurse Researchers

Abstract

Clinical nursing research is required to develop an evidence base for practice in the rehabilitation unit. An analysis of the challenges and possible methods of overcoming these challenges is useful to both future investigators and nurses in practice to insure that studies can be carried out effectively.

Access, Utilization, and Implementation of Research Among Rehabilitation Nurses: A Qualitative Study

“…In this study, rehabilitation nurses were asked about their viewpoints on the relevance of published literature, how helpful the research is, and their ability to understand and implement findings from the literature. Consistent with published literature on the use of research information, our study found that, among the nursing population, seldom did nurses read peer-reviewed research, academic journals, or scholarly research articles, nor did they engage in or conduct research (Bench et al, 2019;Berthelsen & Hølge-Hazelton, 2018;Lam & Schubert, 2019;Rose et al, 2017;Saunders & Vehviläinen-Julkunen, 2016). Although 67% of our participants did not engage with or read the research literature, most of the nurses in this study stated their desire to engage in research.…”

“…Culturally speaking, the hierarchical nature of medicine may result in nurses feeling subordinate or underpowered in their efforts to incorporate research into practice ( Bench et al, 2019 ; Berthelsen & Hølge-Hazelton, 2015 , 2018 ; Ryan, 2016 ). In addition, research-oriented nurses may feel like “hybrids” in that they must combine the roles and expectations of both nurses and researchers, sometimes leading to peers perceiving them as engaged in frivolous work ( Berthelsen & Hølge-Hazelton, 2018 , p. 1575; Rose et al, 2017 ). A desire to maintain harmony with colleagues could combine with individual and organizational barriers to limit the feasibility of engaging with research for many nurses ( Chen et al, 2013 ).…”

“…Despite the recent increase in randomized controlled trials in clinical rehabilitation research, rigorous study designs may be less prevalent, leaving nurses with a smaller pool of literature from which to draw evidence for clinical practice ( Honkanen et al, 2019 ; Morris et al, 2020 ). With regard to content, studies that address issues most germane to rehabilitation, such as long-term functioning, complex social needs, return to independence, and vocational outcomes, are fewer in number, as are studies that include nursing home residents and participants with cognitive or functional impairments ( Camicia et al, 2021 ; Gerber et al, 2020 ; Rose et al, 2017 ; Sheehan et al, 2019 ). These and other qualities specific to the rehabilitation setting suggest that a better understanding of the research barriers experienced by rehabilitation nurses is warranted.…”

“…There are three prior studies that examined nursing research in rehabilitation. However, the focus of these articles was on ethical concerns related to research, performing educational training, and conducting primary research ( Blackmer, 2003 ; Mauk, 2013 ; Rose et al, 2017 ), not nurses’ use of research literature to inform best practice.…”

Central Recruitment: A process for engaging and recruiting individuals with spinal cord injury/disease in research at Toronto Rehabilitation Institute

“…To minimize this risk and ensure best practices, it is important to understand the ways a recruitment process should uphold ethical standards. 18 , 19 The individual obtaining informed consent is required to outline the risks and benefits of a study in a neutral manner to ensure that consent is given voluntarily. The process should also be attentive to justice-related considerations because this process aims to foster access to research for all who desire to participate (not merely those who have a healthcare provider who is attentive to what is happening on the research front).…”