[Follow-up on nursing research in German hospitals: A cross-sectional study]

Follow-up on nursing research in German hospitals: A cross-sectional study Abstract: Background: Nursing research is internationally recognised as an integral part of the nursing profession. However, little is known about the status of institutionalisation of nursing science in German hospitals. Therefore, more than 15 years ago, the Federal Working Group for Nursing Research and Quality Management of the German Nurses Association conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the status of nursing research in German hospitals. This article reports the findings of an updated version of that study. Aims: The study was conducted to assess the current state of nursing research in German hospitals and to identify areas for improvement. Methods: Responsible individuals for nursing research at German hospitals, with over 500 beds per hospital, participated in this online survey. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Data from 65 participants were eligible for analysis (30% response rate). 54% of participants were from hospitals with 501-1000 beds, and nearly half (49%) were affiliated with university hospitals. Twenty-eight hospitals (44%) reported to have implemented nursing research, of which 23 (82%) had established a nursing research department. Several suggestions for improvement were made, including the development of organisational strategies for the implementation of nursing research departments and improved research funding. Conclusions: Participants were aware of the importance of nursing research; however, the findings do not appear to indicate the widespread establishment of nursing research in German hospitals. Safe funding and national strategies to improve the establishment of nursing research in German hospitals could be strategies for improvement.