Exploring the role of organizational policies and procedures in promoting research utilization in registered nurses

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Policies and procedures (P&Ps) have been suggested as one possible strategy for moving research evidence into practice among nursing staff in hospitals. Research in the area of P&Ps is limited, however. This paper explores: 1) nurses' use of eight specific research-based practices (RBPs) and RBP overall, 2) nurses' use and understanding of P&Ps, and 3) the role of P&Ps in promoting research utilization.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Staff nurses from the eight health regions governing acute care services across the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador completed an anonymous questionnaire regarding their use of eight RBPs and associated P&Ps. Data were also obtained from authorities in six of the eight regions about existing relevant P&Ps. We used descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis to assess the relationship between key independent variables and self-reported use of RBP.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Use of the eight RBPs ranged from 7.8% to 88.6%, depending on the practice. Nurses ranked P&P manuals as their number one source of practice knowledge. Most respondents (84.8%) reported that the main reason they consult the P&P manual is to confirm they are practicing according to agency rules. Multivariate regression analysis identified three significant predictors of being a user versus non-user of RBP overall: awareness, awareness by regular use, and persuasion. Six significant predictors of being a consistent versus less consistent user of RBP overall were also identified: perception of P&P existence, unit, nursing experience, personal experience as a source of practice knowledge, number of existing research-based P&Ps, and lack of time as a barrier to consulting P&P manuals.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Findings suggest that nurses use P&Ps to guide their practice. However, the mere existence of P&Ps is not sufficient to translate research into nursing practice. Individual and organizational factors related to nurses' understanding and use of P&Ps also play key roles. Thus, moving research evidence into practice will require careful interplay between the organization and the individual. P&Ps may be the interface through which this occurs.</p

Randomized controlled trial of a community-based nursing intervention for those experiencing chronic non-malignant pain

The major purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to examine the effect of a low-cost, community-based, nurse-delivered, group psychoeducation program entitled the Chronic Pain Self-Management Program (CPSMP) on a number of pain-related and other quality of life outcomes in those experiencing an idiopathic chronic non-malignant pain problem. One hundred and ten individuals referred by community-based health care professionals, a pain clinic service, or self-referral were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: the 12-hour CPSMP intervention group or the 3-month wait-list control group. One hundred and two individuals completed the study. Results of intention-to-treat statistical analyses indicated that the treatment group had significant improvement or strong positive trends to improvement in pain, dependency, mental health, disability, vitality, self-help role behaviours and other role functioning indicators, life satisfaction, and in self-efficacy and resourcefulness compared to the wait-list control group.An additional purpose of this study was to test the hypothesized relationships in the Self-Help Model: Learned Response to Chronic Illness Experience. Causal modeling using path analyses tested the Model at two points in time: pretest and posttest. Overall, the hypothesized pattern of relationships in the Self-Help Model were supported by the data