Towards translational research participation for nurses and midwives: a mixed method study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Midwifery Research
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Research participation among nurses and midwives is inconsistent.
• A growing emphasis on research translation necessitates evaluating current research capacity.
• Understanding individual and organizational capacity is crucial for developing effective research programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the research capacity of nurses and midwives in a large Local Health District in New South Wales, Australia.
• To inform the development of a targeted capacity-building program.
• To foster a sustainable, embedded research culture within nursing and midwifery.

Main Methods:

• A sequential mixed-methods design was employed.
• Phase one involved an online survey of 8156 nurses and midwives assessing research activity, skills, support, and culture.
• Phase two included six focus groups with senior clinicians, educators, and managers to discuss survey findings.

Main Results:

• 721 nurses and 95 midwives completed the survey; 33 attended focus groups.
• Research participation varied significantly by site, individual, and specialty, with interest often not sustained.
• Participants emphasized the need for incentives, structural support, and research with tangible patient and practice relevance.

Conclusions:

• Translational research provides a meaningful avenue for nurses and midwives to engage with research.
• Developing context-specific research agendas and enhancing implementation research skills are essential.
• Building sustainable research capacity requires addressing practical relevance and support structures.