Barriers for nurses' participation in and utilisation of clinical research in three hospitals within the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana

Uptake of evidence-based practice and its predictors among nurses in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: While evidence-based practice has demonstrated its capacity to enhance healthcare quality and bolster clinical outcomes, the translation of research into clinical practice encounters persistent challenges. In Ethiopia, there remains a dearth of comprehensive and nationally representative data concerning the extent of Evidence-based practice adoption among nurses. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis endeavors to assess the overall prevalence of Evidence-based practice implementation and delve into its determinants among Ethiopian nurses. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. In order to identify pertinent studies, a search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and EMBASE databases. A weighted inverse variance random-effects model was employed to estimate the pooled prevalence. Cochrane's Q-test and I2 statistics were calculated to assess heterogeneity among studies. Funnel plots and Egger's test were utilized to evaluate publication bias. Pooled implementation rates and meta-regression analysis were carried out using STATA 17. Results: Of the total 1,590 retrieved articles, twelve studies including 4,933 nurses were included in the final analysis. The pooled prevalence of Evidence-based practice uptake among nurses in Ethiopia is 53% (95% CI: 46%-60%). Having knowledge about Evidence-based practice (AOR = 2.29; 95% CI: 1.90, 2.69; I2 = 70.95%), holding a favorable attitude towards Evidence-based practice (AOR = 2.56; 95% CI: 1.63, 3.49; I2 = 88.39%), occupying a head nurse position (AOR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.85, 4.46; I2 = 87.42%), possessing effective communication skills (AOR = 4.99; 95% CI: 1.47, 8.51; I2 = 99.86%), and having access to Evidence-based practice guidelines (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.55, 2.24; I2 = 57.24%) were identified as predictors of the uptake of Evidence-based practice. Conclusion: Only half of Ethiopia's nurses exhibit a strong embrace of Evidence-Based Practice within clinical settings, underscoring the urgent necessity for coordinated endeavors to cultivate this essential practice. Possessing knowledge, effective communication skills, access to updated guidelines, maintaining a positive attitude towards Evidence-Based Practice, and holding a position as head nurse emerged as predictors of successful implementation of Evidence-Based Practice. Hence, policymakers must prioritize capacity-building initiatives, disseminate the latest EBP guidelines widely, and strengthen mentorship roles for head nurses. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#searchadvanced, identifier CRD42023488943.

Education pathways and key tasks for research nurses in Europe, results from a VACCELERATE online survey

AIM

This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the educational pathways and responsibilities of research nurses in Europe, particularly focusing on their essential role in conducting research in clinical settings, including clinical trials, while adhering to ethical and regulatory standards.

BACKGROUND

Research nurses play a crucial role in clinical research settings, especially in clinical trials, ensuring adherence to ethical and regulatory standards. Understanding their educational pathways and responsibilities is essential for promoting consistency and quality in research practices across Europe.

DESIGN

Between October and November 2022, relevant European nursing education authorities, including those focused on research nursing, were contacted to participate in an online cross-sectional survey. The survey aimed to gather information about research nurse education and training in their respective countries.

METHODS

The study followed a cross-sectional design. Contacts were made with European nursing education authorities based on recommendations from the VACCELERATE National Coordinators and the VACCELERATE Site Network. Participating organizations were invited to complete an online survey regarding research nurse education in their countries.

RESULTS

Responses were obtained from 37 European countries, a response rate of 74%. The most common terms used to refer to nurses involved in clinical trials and epidemiological studies were "study nurse" (62%) and "clinical research nurse" and "research nurse" (43% each). The requirements to become a research nurse varied across countries, with a nursing degree necessary in 87% of countries and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) courses mandatory in 81%. Local providers of research nurse courses existed in 84% of countries, coordinated by online organisations (51%) or universities/hospitals (46%). The most common tasks assigned to research nurses were the administration of investigational medicinal products (from 78% in observational studies to 89% in phase IV trials) and blood sample processing (84% in phase II and IV trials).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides valuable insights into research nurse education and tasks in European countries. It highlights the need for standardisation to enhance consistency and quality of training across Europe.

An underutilised resource: The evolving role of clinical nurses contributing to rural health research

AIM

We aim to discuss the advantages of supporting clinical nurses' involvement in place-based research in rural health services.

CONTEXT

Australian health services are currently struggling with increased demand in services from an aging population, chronic diseases and nursing workforce shortages. This impact is amplified in rural and remote regions of Australia.

APPROACH

Investment in place-based clinical nursing research provides opportunity for nursing recruitment, career and leadership development, and retention, while addressing local health issues and creating pathways for implementation of evidence-based practice.

CONCLUSION

Collaboration between rural health services, universities, policy makers and the Rural Health Multidisciplinary Training program will enable the opportunity for establishment and ongoing development of strong research programs in rural health services to address local health issues and workforce needs.

Exploring Professional Practice Environments and Organisational Context Factors Affecting Nurses' Adoption of Evidence-Based Practice: A Scoping Review

This scoping review, conducted within the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) framework, analysed the recent literature (January 2018 to March 2023) addressing factors inherent to professional practice environments and organisational contexts influencing nurses' adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP). This review included studies involving nurses regardless of sector, practice setting, and scope of practice. A systematic search was undertaken across the PubMed, Web of Science, CINAHL, and MEDLINE databases, as well as the EThOS, OATD, and RCAAP platforms. The extracted textual elements underwent a content analysis, resulting in a coding structure established through an inductive approach that categorised information into main categories and subcategories linked by similarity and thematic affinity. Forty-one studies were included, revealing four main categories of factors impacting EBP adoption by nurses: (1) organisational dynamics, (2) management and leadership, (3) teamwork and communication, and (4) resources and infrastructure. The study's limitations acknowledge the subjective nature of categorisation, recognising potential variations based on individual perspectives despite adopting procedures to minimise the risk of bias. The results provide a substantial foundation for developing interventions to cultivate environments conducive to EBP adoption by nurses, thereby enhancing the integration of evidence into nurses' professional practice contexts. This review was prospectively registered on the Open Science Framework (registration no. osf.io/e86qz).

Utilisation of research in clinical nursing and midwifery practice in Ghana: protocol for a mixed-method study. (Preprint)

BACKGROUND

The International Council of Nurses' 2021 code of ethics mandates nurses to provide evidence-informed care to patients. Globally, using research evidence has led to improvement in nursing and midwifery practice, according to the World Health Organization. A study in Ghana found that 25.3% (n=40) of nurses and midwives use research in clinical care. Research utilization (RU) increases therapeutic effectiveness, improves health outcomes, and enhances the personal and professional development of clinicians. However, it is uncertain the extent to which nurses and midwives are prepared, skilled, and supported to utilize research in clinical care in Ghana.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop a conceptual framework that can facilitate RU among clinical nurses and midwives in Ghanaian health facilities.

METHODS

This will be a cross-sectional study with a concurrent mixed methods approach. It will be conducted in 6 hospitals and 4 nursing educational institutions in Kumasi, Ghana. The study has 4 objectives which will be executed in 3 phases. Phase 1 follows a quantitative approach to describe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of clinical nurses and midwives on the use of research in their practice. Using a web-based survey, 400 nurses and midwives working in 6 health facilities will be recruited. Data analysis will be conducted using SPSS, with statistical significance set at .05. Qualitative methodology, using focus group discussions with clinical nurses and midwives, will be conducted to identify the factors influencing their RU. In phase 2, focus group discussions will be used to examine and describe how nurse educators in 4 nursing and midwifery educational institutions prepare nurses and midwives for RU during their education. Views of nurse managers on the RU in Ghanaian health care facilities will be explored in the second section of this phase through one-on-one interviews. Inductive thematic analysis will be used to analyze the qualitative data, and Lincoln and Guba's principles of trustworthiness will be applied. In phase 3, the stages of model development proposed by Chinn and Kramer; and Walker and Avant will be used to triangulate findings from all objectives and formulate a conceptual framework.

RESULTS

Data collection started in December 2022. Publication of the results will begin in April 2023.

CONCLUSIONS

RU in clinical practice has become an acceptable practice in nursing and midwifery. It is critical that nursing and midwifery professionals in sub-Saharan Africa shift their practice to embrace the global movement. This proposed conceptual framework will empower nurses and midwives to improve their practice of RU.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/45067.

Creating Interdisciplinary Engagement Through a Hospital-Based Endowed Chair in Nursing Research: The "Conway Chair Conversations"

Although clinical nurses' involvement in research is a role expectation, efforts to engage clinical nurses in nurse-led research have had notably mixed results. These efforts have most typically been single discipline-focused (nursing), although nursing care is a collaborative, interdisciplinary practice. Adding an interdisciplinary strategy to multiple other efforts to engage clinical nurses in research may contribute to more nurse involvement. Here, we describe the use of a hospital-based endowed chair in nursing research to simultaneously engage nursing and other disciplines in a monthly dialogue about clinically relevant, research-related challenges and solutions. Outcomes indicate that the research-related dialogue among nurses and interprofessional colleagues would likely not have taken place without this approach.

Reflections on recruiting healthcare professionals as research participants: Learning from the ONSPres Study

The involvement of healthcare professionals (HCPs) as research participants is essential to generate high quality evidence for enhancing health services and practice.  Research teams face many challenges in recruiting HCPs for research, and barriers and enablers for interdisciplinary research are not well described in the literature.  The Oral Nutritional Supplement Prescribing Malnutrition Research Study (ONSPres Study) examined malnutrition identification, management, and appropriate oral nutritional supplement prescribing in primary care in Ireland.  The ONSPres Study offers a unique view of recruiting HCPs for research because a range of disciplines were sought for participation in a mixed methods study.  The purpose of this open letter is to describe the experiences of recruitment and participation.  Sixteen general practitioners (GPs) were recruited to participate in one-to-one interviews, eighty health and social care professionals working in community care (including nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, and occupational therapists) were recruited to take part in 12 focus groups, and 31 GPs and trainee GPs were recruited to participate in an education programme developed by the study team.   Strategies required to gain access and reach HCPs differed between disciplines.   Professional networks enhanced access to HCPs working in practice and recruitment was slower and more tailored when those networks were less available to the team.  An interest in malnutrition, to assist in research, to advance patient care, and the opportunity for learning were incentives for the participating HCPs.  Limitations in the diversity of the sample arose, with a bias towards female participants and GPs motivated by an interest in the topic.  It is recommended that study teams collaborate early with relevant HCP disciplines so they can contribute to recruitment planning at project concept and design stages.  To enhance and incentivise HCP participation in research, dedicated time and acknowledgement of participation as continuous professional development is proposed.

Participation of nurses and allied health professionals in research activities: a survey in an academic tertiary pediatric hospital

BACKGROUND

Involvement in research activities is complex in pediatric nursing and allied health professionals (AHPs). It is important to understand which individual factors are associated with it to inform policy makers in promoting research.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to describe the level of participation in research activities over the last ten years of nurses and AHPs working in a tertiary pediatric hospital. A large sample of nurses and AHPs working in an Italian academic tertiary pediatric hospital completed an online self-report questionnaire between June and December 2018. Three multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to predict participation in research projects, speaking at conferences, and writing scientific articles.

RESULTS

Overall, data from 921 health professionals were analyzed (response rate = 66%), of which about 21% (n = 196) reported participating in a research project, while 33% (n = 297) had attended a scientific conference as a speaker, and 11% (n = 94) had written at least one scientific paper. Having a Master or a Regional Advanced Course, working as an AHP or a ward manager, as well as regularly reading scientific journals and participation in an internal hospital research group or attendance in a specific course about research in the hospital, significantly predicted participation in research projects, speaking at conferences and writing scientific papers. It is important to foster research interest and competencies among health professionals to improve participation in research projects, speaking at conferences, and writing scientific papers.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, we found a good level of attendance at conferences as speakers (33%), a moderate level of participation in research (21%), and low levels for writing scientific papers (11%). Our study highlighted the need to support participation in research activities among nurses and AHPs. Policymakers should identify strategies to promote research among nurses and AHPs, such as protected rewarded time for research, specific education, strengthened collaboration with academics, and financial support. Moreover, hospital managers should promote the development of research culture among health professionals, to improve their research competencies and evidence-based practice.

Croatian Registered Nurses - Perception of Barriers to Research Utilization: A Cross-sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Despite positive effects of research utilization on improving the quality of care, nurses meet numerous obstacles when trying to bridge the gap between the theory and utilization of research findings in nursing practice. AIM: The study was conducted to identify barriers to research utilization in daily nursing practice among registered nurses in University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia in 2014. The study included 415 registered nurses, randomly selected. The BARRIERS Scale and a demographic data questionnaire were used to collect data. RESULTS: The study identified organizational barriers as major obstacles to implementing research findings. The items rated highest were “there is insufficient time on the job to implement new ideas” (78.2%), “nurse does not feel she/he has enough authority to change patient care procedures” (77.5%), “relevant literature is not compiled in one place” (72.1%), “physicians will not cooperate with implementation” (70.5%), and “nurse does not have time to read research” (70.4%). The item “relevant literature is not compiled in one place” belongs to communication subscale, while the other items belong to organizational barriers subscale. CONCLUSION: Registered nurses employed in University Hospital Center Osijek, Croatia perceived organizational barriers as major obstacles to research utilization.

Leadership as a Facilitator of Evidence Implementation by Nurse Managers: A Metasynthesis

Evidence-based practice is often not implemented in nursing for reasons relating to leadership. This article aims to cast light on the factors that facilitate nursing evidence implementation perceived by nurse managers in their practical experiences of this implementation. It is a qualitative, narrative metasynthesis of primary studies on nurse managers' leadership-related facilitation experiences, following the Joanna Briggs Institute meta-aggregative approach and the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) model. Eleven primary studies were included and three general categories were identified as leadership-related factors facilitating evidence implementation: teamwork (communication between managers and staff nurses), organizational structures (strategic governance), and transformational leadership (influence on evidence application and readiness for change among leaders). Nurse managers act as facilitators of evidence-based practices by transforming contexts to motivate their staff and move toward a shared vision of change. Always providing support as managers and colleagues, sharing their experience in the clinic environment.

Engaging Bedside Nurse in Research and Quality Improvement

Nurses are expected to participate in research and scholarly inquiry; despite ongoing attempts, the practice-research gap continues to be fraught with significant barriers. System strategies have not addressed concerns at the individual nurse level. Given the implications on quality and safety, focusing on identification of individual nurse strategies should be an important focus of attention for nursing leaders and researchers. This article seeks to describe barriers, potential solutions, and implications for nurse leaders.

Evidence-based practice utilization and associated factors among nurses working in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Applying evidence-based practice during care provision is essential because it improves the quality of care, reduces health care costs, and increases patient and family satisfaction. However, information on evidence-based nursing practice and associated factors were not well studied and documented in the study area. Hence, this study aimed to assess utilization and associated factors of evidence-based practice among nurses working in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals, Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 18 to April 16, 2019, in Amhara Region Referral Hospitals. A simple random sampling technique was used to select 684 respondents. Data were collected using a pretested and self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi Info version 7.1.2.0 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. The bivariable analysis was used primarily and variables with p-value < 0.2 were further examined using a multivariable logistic regression model to control con-founders. Then, variables' p-value < 0.05 with 95% CI was used to determine associated factors.

RESULTS

From 684 proposed nurses, 671 of them completed the questionnaire giving 98.1% response rate. Of these, 55% (95% CI: 51.2, 58.9) of them had good evidence-based practice utilization. Variables including single (AOR = 1.662: 95% CI: 1.089-2.536), fewer work experience (AOR = 1.849: 95% CI: 1.049-3.257), good knowledge (AOR = 2.044: 95% CI: 1.406-2.972), effective communication skill (AOR = 2.537: 95% CI: 1.744-3.689), EBP training (AOR = 3.224 95% CI: 1.957-5.311), internet access (AOR = 1.655: 95% CI: 1.119-2.448) and evidence-based guideline availability (AOR = 1.827: 95% CI: 1.249-2.673) were found to be predictors of evidence-based practice utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed that evidence-based practice utilization among nurses is low. Availing evidence-based guidelines in the work area, improving facilities' internet access, and building nurses' evidence-based practice competencies through either by giving separate training or incorporating as part of the curriculum would improve its utilization.

Participation in nursing research: We can do better

This article discusses the potential drivers and barriers to clinical nurse research participation. Here, the author describes a research exemplar that highlights how understanding the link between research and practice can influence participation.