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Applying research to practice. Practical guidelines for occupational health nurses
1School of Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
Summary
Occupational health nurses face a research-practice gap, hindering evidence-based practice. Bridging this gap requires collaboration between practitioners and researchers to improve workplace safety and health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health Nursing
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Health Services Research
Background:
- A significant gap exists between research findings and their application in occupational health nursing practice.
- Occupational health nurses (OHNs) often do not participate in or contribute to research, despite its potential benefits.
- Organizational power structures, routines, and resource configurations can impede the adoption of scientific findings in daily decision-making.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the research-practice gap in occupational health nursing.
- To identify barriers preventing the integration of research into occupational health nursing practice.
- To propose strategies for bridging the research-practice gap and advancing the specialty.
Main Methods:
- This study is a conceptual analysis and synthesis of existing literature on the research-practice gap in occupational health nursing.
- It examines perspectives on barriers to research utilization, including organizational factors and practitioner readiness.
- The discussion focuses on the need for collaboration and strategic implementation of research findings.
Main Results:
- Daily decision-making in organizations is often influenced more by established routines and power structures than by current scientific evidence.
- Practitioners may perceive research findings as irrelevant to individual cases or fear the resources required for implementation.
- Organizational support, management buy-in, and clear communication are crucial for successful research application.
Conclusions:
- Closing the research-practice gap requires a dual commitment from both researchers and practitioners in occupational health nursing.
- Researchers should focus on real-world applicability, while practitioners need to become more adept at consuming and utilizing research.
- Developing strategies for information sharing and fostering a culture that values research are essential for improving occupational health and safety outcomes.