Utilization of research findings in nursing practice

1. Are we implementingresearchfindings in practice ?
Prof. Dr. G. Maheswari., Ph.D. (N).,
Dept. Child Health Nursing,
Dhanvantri College of Nursing,
Namakkal District

2. Yes
But
no

3. During 1980’s and early 1990’s
 Research utilization became a buzz word
 Several changes in nursing education and
nursing research were prompted by the
desire to develop knowledge base for nursing
practice
 There was a shift in focus toward clinical
nursing problems.
But, there was a lack in utilization of all
these findings in practice.

4. But now………
 Nurses are prepared as researchers in
nursing
 Scientific body of knowledge is growing
 Nurses are concerned with use of research
findings in provision of nursing care.
 Professional nurses utilizes research findings
in the direct provision of nursing care.
 Uses appropriate findings as the basis for
Practice.

5. Example
 Frequently changing positions during
phototherapy is most effective than
routine supine position.
Amla is most effective in improving
platelets and WBC among patient
undergoing chemotherapy

6. Why are we interested in
research utilization?
To improve quality, effectiveness and safety of healthcare
delivery
Important for ALL levels of Nursing
Clinical Nurse
 Critical thinking
 Professional self-concept
 Safe and effective practice
 Current, scientific knowledge
 Self-confidence
Nurse Scientist
 Validates efforts
 Provides motivation
 Discover new clinical problems for investigation

7. But still there is a gap between
knowledge and practice.

8. Barriers to using research in
practice
• Research related barriers
• Nurse related barriers
• Organization barriers
• Barriers related to nursing profession.

9. Research related barriers
• Research knowledge is fairly primitive
• Methodological flaws are extensive
• There is no much valid and trust worthy
study results.
• Lack of replications
• Research findings are inaccessible to
practitioners.

10. Tips to overcome Research
related barriers
Collaborate with clinicians
Do high quality research
Replicate research
Communicate clearly
Present findings amenable to meta analysis
Suggest clinical implications
Disseminate aggressively and broadly.
Prepare integrative research reviews

11. Nurse related barriers
 Many nurses have not received formal
instruction in research and lack of skills to
judge merits of a study.
 Lack of motivation and positive attitudes
towards research.
People are often resistant to change
(perceived as affecting job security)
Some oppositions for introducing
innovations in the practice setting.

12. Tips to overcome Nurse related
barriers
Read widely and critically
Attend professional conferences
Learn to expect evidence that a
procedure is effective
Become involved in a journal club
Pursue and participate in research

13. Organization barriers
Resist changes
Lack of intellectual curiosity and
openness to challenge tradition and
accepted practice
Failed to motivate or reward
competence in nursing practice
Limited availability of time to
impelement new ideas

14. Tips to overcome organizations
related barriers
Foster a climate of intellectual curiosity
Offer emotional and moral support
Reward efforts for using research
Seek opportunities for institutional
research utilizations

15. Barriers related to nursing
profession
Lack of collaborations among clinicians
and researchers
Shortage of appropriate role models
Nurses may not typically perceive
themselves as independent
professionals capable of recommending
changess
Has attitude that they have no power
to be self-directeds.

16. Tips to overcome Barriers
related to nursing profession
Incorporate research findings into
curriculum
Encourage research and research sue
Place demands on researchersss

17. Nurses want to deliver evidence-
based care BUT…..
Even In the developed countries
 Only 35% of small hospitals (<250 Beds) had
NR journals
 38 % of health agencies based change in
nursing practice on Research
 15% implemented research utilization
programs for staff nurses
 97% wanted assistance in teaching nurses
about research utilization

18. If We Bridge the Research –
Practice Gap
Improve client care
Develop the artistry of practice
Enhance the professional status of
nursing
Enhance the status of nursing within
the academic, scientific and health
services community
Enhances the profile of “professional”
practice

19. So – How do we get our research
into practice?
We need three things
 Evidence
 Context
 Facilitation

20. Evidence
Is A combination of
 Research
 Clinical experience
 Patient experience
 Local information

21. Context
Environment or setting of health care service
delivery
 Physical environment
 Operational boundaries
 Decision making processes
 Resources
 Organizational culture
 Patterns of power and authority
Three themes
 Culture
 Leadership
 Evaluation

22. Facilitation
• A technique by which one person
makes things easier for other
• Facilitators have a key role
 Understand what they need to change
 How they need to change
 Helping
 Enabling
Three themes
Purpose
Roles
Skills and attributes

23. So What Can Nurses Do?
Practicing Nurses
 Use nursing research findings
 Read nursing research journals
 Read critical reviews of research
 Attend professional conferences

24. So What Can Nurses Do?
Researchers
 Conduct quality research
 Replicate
 Collaborate
 Disseminate aggressively and broadly
 Communicate clearly

25. So What Can Nurses Do?
Educators
 Incorporate research findings into
the curriculum
 Note absence of research
 Encourage research utilization

26. So What Can Nurses Do?
Administrators
 Foster a climate of intellectual
curiosity
 Offer support for utilization
 Reward efforts for utilization

27. So What Can Nurses Do?
Nurse Practitioner’s
 Multiple roles
 May also be the facilitator
 When planning research
 Consider context
 Generate well conceived, well conducted
evidence
 Demonstrate your clinical expertise
 Ensure relevance

28. Conclusion
NP’s are in an ideal situation to
promote research utilization
 Have both clinical expertise and
research expertise
 Know the context of their practice area
 Expert facilitators
 Acknowledged as “best” translators of
research findings

29. THANK YOU