Barriers to and facilitators of research utilization among Finnish Registered Nurses

Abstract

• The aim of nursing research is to produce a sound foundation for evidence‐based nursing; the job of nurses is to make the best possible use of that foundation and apply the knowledge produced to the practice of nursing. • The purpose of this study was to identify and describe barriers to and facilitators of research utilization from the point of view of Finnish Registered Nurses. • The BARRIERS Scale was administered to 316 nurses in two major hospitals; 253 nurses returned the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 80%. The structured data were processed with SPSS 9.0, and the unstructured data were interpreted using the method of content analysis. • The main barriers to research utilization identified by the respondents were: the fact that most research is published in a foreign language; that physicians will not co‐operate with implementation; and that statistical analyses are difficult to understand. The facilitators mentioned most often were nurses' positive attitudes and abilities. Other important facilitators included the support and activity of a ward sister as well as encouragement, a favourable attitude and collaboration on the part of all staff members. • The findings are discussed in relation to the Finnish healthcare context and nurse education, and evidence‐based nursing practice.