| Learning Objective #1: Identify the extent to which rural nurses utilize research in their practices | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Understand the circumstances under which research utilization activities are being undertaken by rural nurses in their efforts toward evidence-based practice |
Abstract Objectives : To identify the extent to which rural nurses utilize research in their practice , and describe both previous and current research utilization activities in which they have participated, and the special barriers they face. Design : An integrated descriptive study Concept and variables studied: The concept of innovation-diffusion was used in guiding the exploration of the implementation of innovative research activities Population, Sample and Setting: The nurses were from various practice areas in six counties consisting mainly rural areas, in a south-western state of the United States. A convenience sample of one hundred and six subjects participated in this study. Methods: Data were collected through questionnaires with open-ended questions focusing on (a) current utilization of nursing research findings, (b) previous involvement in nursing research activities, and (c) participation in medical research activities. Questionnaires were distributed in the six rural counties. Findings: The results show that only 20.8% of the study population was currently involved in research utilization, and they were mostly nurses with baccalaureate degrees. The two most common areas of current research utilization are in ‘pain management’ and ‘pressure ulcer prevention and management'. Barriers to research utilization among these rural nurses were identified. Conclusion: The types of research utilization activities these nurses in the rural areas are involved in, is a pointer to how much the facilities in which these nurses work, are catching up with the utilization of available scientific evidence. Rural nurses do face peculiar barriers related to situational and geographical factors. Implications : The results of this study have implications for nursing administrators, educators, and researchers. There is need to design collaborative ways of involving more practicing nurses in the rural areas in research utilization for evidence-based practice in nursing.
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Back to 14th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
10-12 July 2003