| This study investigated barriers and facilitators to research utilization reported by practicing critical care nurses. The study aims were to describe barriers and facilitators to research utilization as perceived and experienced by critical care nurses and demographic influences on them. The sample (n = 511) was composed primarily of women (92%), mean age 46, who practiced in critical care for an average of 17.5 years. The study instruments were the BARRIERS Scale, the Research Utilization Implementation Project Questionnaire, Portions of the Orange County Research Utilization in Nursing Questionnaire, and demographic data form. A survey (cover letter and study instruments) was mailed to a random sample of members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (n = 3000) who represented clinical nurses, nurse managers and clinical nurse specialists. The top ten barriers to research utilization were attributed to the setting (6), the nurses (Messmer, Jones, & Rosillo) and the presentation (1). Major facilitators identified by subjects related to collaborative behavior, access to research, and its applicability. More than half of the sample reported not participating in the implementation of research. Regardless of subjects' role or education, barriers associated with the setting remained the most prominent Findings indicate the capacity of an organization to develop the infrastructure and capacity to access, translate, transfer and evaluate research in practice is a strategic and professional priority. Future research needs to address strategies that will explore consistent and conscientious use of research in practice and fostering environments of care that have the freedom to ask questions and the capacity to answer them. |
