Orthopaedic nurses’ engagement in clinical research; An exploration of ideas, facilitators and challenges

Joint Event on 49^th World Congress on Advanced Nursing Research & 27^th International Conference on Clinical Pediatrics

June 10-11, 2019 Berlin, Germany

Suzanne Bench, Julie-Anne Dowie and Paul Fish

London South Bank University,UK
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, UK

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Nurs Care

Abstract :

Research-active healthcare organisations provide better quality care and improved clinical outcomes. Clinical staff are in an excellent position to identify research questions that matter to patients and families, but previous international studies have identified individual and organisational barriers to nursesâ?? research utilisation, with a paucity of data related to nursesâ?? engagement in research.
In 2017, our hospital created a research leadership group of directors, each with responsibility for a specific professional discipline. The aim of this qualittaive study was to explore nursesâ?? views regarding the research priorities for orthopaedic care and the perceived barriers and facilitators associated with nursesâ?? engagement in the research process. All nurses (n=373) working at the hospital were invited to participate. 75 nurses (20%) completed a questionnaire and participated in one of 14 audio recorded focus group discussions. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to present questionnaire responses. Three key themes were identified: Other people do it; research ideas; barriers/facilitators. Although some people acknowledged its importance, research activity was not seen as part of the professional role and participants struggled to identify their own ideas. Key barriers centred around culture (priorities, motivation, support and empowerment), resources (time, competence, knowledge and confidence) and perceptions of research as scary and difficult. Key facilitators focused on resources and effective leadership. Findings add to the body of evidence supporting the need for effective nursing research leadership. Data have informed a local nursing research strategy, which requires effective collaboration with the wider multi-disciplinary team for success.

Biography :

Suzanne Bench was awarded her PhD in 2014 from King’s College, London. She holds a joint appointment as an Associate Professor of nursing between London South Bank University and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, with a remit to develop the reserach capability and capacity of nurses as part of her deputy director role. As an experienced intensive care nurse, ahse sits on the executive board for the British Association of Critical Care Nurses and is Deputy Chair of the UK critical care nursing alliance. She has published more than 20 papers and is an associate editor for an international journal.

E-mail: suzanne.bench@nhs.net