Nursing Research Capacity-Building Programmes in AcuteCare Hospitals: A Scoping Review

Research and evidence-based practice in nursing have a direct impact on the quality of care to patients. Its enactment in daily practice remains challenging, with nurses' insufficient research capacity and capability being one challenge, and the limited current state of knowledge another.

To map the knowledge landscape around capacity-building programmes aiming to increase evidence-based nursing practice and research activity in acutecare hospitals.

Scoping review using Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines.

Articles from 2013 to 2023 were searched on PubMed, CINAHL, Medline/OVID, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science. Two researchers screened their eligibility independently. To be eligible, studies needed to focus on nursing/midwifery in acute care settings, address research capacity-building practices and be either an empirical, review or theoretical publication. Data were extracted in a structured format and synthesised narratively.

Twenty-four articles were included, consisting of 12 empirical, 6 reviews and 6 non-data-based articles. Our analysis identified two dimensions of research capacity: (1) individual research capability and (2) organisational research capacity, each influenced by various determinants. Findings suggest that four key elements are required to build a research capacity programme: (1) context assessment, (2) multilevel leadership and management engagement, (3) programme tailored to context and (4) clear outcome indicators. We found nursing research capacity programmes lacked clear definitions and a consensus on a conceptual framework.

This review systematically synthesised the knowledge landscape on nursing research capacity building programmes in acute care hospitals, bringing clarity regarding concepts, dimensions, determinants and structural key elements.

The conceptual model developed through this review encourages comprehensive and comparable research capacity-building programmes, which can accelerate enhancement of research skills, literacy, activities and evidence-based practice among nurses, thereby improving quality of care and patient outcomes.

No patient or public contribution.