Bridging the gap: Barriers and opportunities in pediatric nursing research in Italy

Nursing research is essential for improving healthcare quality by advancing clinical practice and evidence-based interventions. However, pediatric nursing research remains underexplored, with limited data on its organization and impact within hospital settings. This study aims to describe the structure of pediatric nursing research in Italian hospitals and identify barriers and facilitators to research engagement.

A multicenter observational study was conducted between January and April 2023. Data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to nursing coordinators of pediatric units across Italy. A convenience sampling method was used and the questionnaire was validated by experts. Descriptive statistics were applied for data analysis.

Out of contacted 205 hospital facilities, 97 responded (47.3 % response rate). Most coordinators were female (90.7 %) with an average age of 50.5 years. Only 8.2 % had published scientific articles and 17.5 % reported the presence of research nurses. Research was mainly conducted outside working hours, with limited institutional support. Key barriers included time constraints, lack of resources and insufficient research training. Facilitators included collaboration with research teams and academic institutions.

Pediatric nursing research in Italy faces significant structural and institutional challenges. Strategies such as increasing institutional support, developing research training programs and fostering academic-hospital partnerships are needed to enhance nursing research engagement and improve pediatric healthcare quality.