A study to explore the barriers to research utilization among staff nurses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Research
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Research utilization (RU) in nursing is critical for enhancing patient outcomes through evidence-based practice.
• Nurses often encounter barriers to RU, including time constraints, lack of authority, and insufficient organizational support.
• Understanding these barriers is essential for effective implementation of research findings in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify specific barriers preventing staff nurses from utilizing research findings in clinical practice.
• To analyze the association between demographic variables and research utilization among staff nurses.
• To provide insights for improving research utilization in nursing.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted involving 369 staff nurses at a tertiary care hospital.
• Data were collected using the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale and a Practice Questionnaire.
• Chi-square tests were employed to analyze demographic variables and their association with research utilization.

Main Results:

• 55.83% of nurses demonstrated adequate research utilization practices, while 44.17% had inadequate practices.
• Key organizational barriers included lack of authority (36.3%) and insufficient facilities (34.4%).
• Educational qualifications showed a significant positive association with research utilization (p<0.001), alongside time constraints and limited access to research.

Conclusions:

• Organizational factors and educational qualifications significantly influence research utilization among staff nurses.
• Addressing barriers such as lack of authority and inadequate facilities is crucial for improving RU.
• Enhancing organizational support and educational opportunities can effectively bridge the gap between research and clinical practice, fostering evidence-based care.