Augmenting the spirit of research among nursing personnel: A narrative review

ABSTRACT

Background:

In health-related technology, the professionalism paradigm has shifted from a traditional-based approach to evidence-based nursing practice (EBP). For nurses, EBP as a systematic approach to problem solving is well supported and is based on translating the best current research findings into a decision made on patient care or nursing intervention.

Objective:

To review the strategies to develop the research capacity among nurses.

Design:

A keyword search was used to locate relevant articles. Bibliographic data were retrieved from PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, CINAHL, and Medline. A total of 100 articles were retrieved, and 27 were included in the article.

Results:

Major challenges affecting the development of research skills have been identified including lack of time for research, high teaching loads, and need to balance this work with administrative and clinical responsibilities, Lack of funding, shortage of skilled personnel, and absence of research infrastructure. Some of the skills identified in the literature for augmenting research capacity, i.e., infrastructure development, promotion of research cultures and environments, and facilitation of training.

Conclusion:

However, more empirical studies are needed to understand the process of implementing and evaluating capacity building in nursing, clinical as well as academic. Capacity building is globally important because it can improve the quality of nursing education, the caliber of nurses, and the standard of care that patients receive.

Introduction

Worldwide, the nursing profession faces a challenge in improving nursing personnel research skills. The literature indicates a continued deficit of research competence among nurses, nursing students and faculties, and low funding for research activities. Institutes and colleges of nursing are conducting research, however, more high-quality research is needed.[1]

Research capacity development is essential in filling the evidence-practice gap, thereby contributing to health and knowledge for practice.[2] The information through scientific research and inquiry is the foundation of modern medicine and health services[3,4] Indeed, research is significant in the field of nursing and improving patient care and outcomes.[5] Clifford and Murray suggested enhancing collaboration between academics and practitioners to reduce the research-practice gap in nursing.[6]

Nurses have an important role in health services. They spend about 70% of their time at the bedside, working directly with patients, and directly monitoring clinical outcomes. They also answer questions from curious patients. In many cases, patients want to trust or ask questions to a nurse rather than a doctor. This relationship enables nurses to address patient concerns while providing quality care. So, with help of nurses skilled in conducting research and applying evidence-based care, primary care physicians can boost the treatment outcomes.[7]

However, it is unclear and inadequately mentioned the barriers and challenges faced by nursing personnel in conducting high-quality research.

Objectives

To systematically map the research in this area, identify gaps in the process, and state strategies to improve nursing research. The research question was formulated: what is known from the literature about the factors and barriers influencing nurses’ decisions not to get involved in research activities and strategies to address these barriers for incorporating research in evidence-based practice.

Materials and Methods

The literature review examined the factors that might affect research capacity development, addressing issues relating to qualifications and skills, time funding, motivation, and the type and quality of research being undertaken within the discipline.[8]

Protocol

The protocol was drafted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocol.

Eligibility criteria

Peer-reviewed journal papers published between 2002 and 2021, written in English, with nursing personnel as participants were included.

Information sources

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, Google Scholar, Medline, and EMBASE databases were searched.

Search strategy

The keywords “research” combined with “strategy,” “capacity,” “capability” “productivity,” and “output” were entered into the above electronic databases.

Selection of sources of evidence

All reviewers screened all 27 articles, amended the screening and data extraction; reviewers sequentially evaluated the titles, abstracts, and the full text of all publications and identified relevant articles to be included [Figure 1].

Figure 1.

Algorithm for database search and article selection

Synthesis of results

Studies grouping done based on the type of behavior they analyzed, and summarized the type of settings, populations, study designs, measures used, and broad findings, counted the number of studies included in the review that potentially met our inclusion criteria [Table 1]. This review also examined more papers from different disciplines to observe how other disciplines have especially approached the overall challenge of building research.[9]

Table 1.

Characteristics and results of individual sources of evidence: Developing nursing research capacity for nursing personnel

Authors	Statement and methodology/method	Main country studied	Brief description/key findings
Virginia Sy[15] (2020)	Igniting the fire of inquiry: Strategies to advance hospital nursing research — Evidenced-Based Practice	US	Various strategies including the development of a medical library with research databases, printed/electronic journals, books, etc., focus on group conversations, brainstorming sessions, journal club presentations, classes regarding research proposal preparation, funding, writing and publishing research articles were created and implemented that successfully increased the number of research projects of nursing faculties in just over 2 years.
Chen, Sun, Tang, et al.[16] (2019)	Research capacity in nursing: a concept analysis based on a scoping review	China	This concept analysis used the Pragmatic Utility method based on a scoping review to further develop the partially mature concept of research capacity in nursing and contributes to theory development, it also provided a foundation for the development of instruments for measuring research capacity in nursing.
BodilTveit, Eva MeretheSolum[17] (2015)	Building research capacity in Malawian nursing education—A Key to development and change—Action research design	Norway	Among 22 nurse educators in Malawi. Using brainstorming, group discussion research problems were selected, and created research proposals that led to increased collaboration among colleges and the creation of local professional learning communities as potential outcomes of this approach. Participants were very satisfied with the outcomes of the workshops and the training program
Kirsten Lode1Erik E. Sørensen et al.[18] (2015)	Clinical Nurses’ Research Capacity Building in Practice—Systematic Review	Norway	This review concludes that research capacity building requires the development of research competence to generate knowledge that enhances quality and patient safety. Nurse leaders are essential for establishing evidence-based practice and research culture, thus enhancing nurses’ scientific attitudes and capacity.
Limei Gao, Qiaocong Lu et al.[19] (2020)	Nursing innovation workshop to improve clinically nurses’ innovation ability and research ability: A quasi-experimental study	China	A nursing innovation workshop was organized that represents an effective and feasible teaching method that can promote innovative thinking and improve the innovative ability and research ability of nurses.
Mitchell et al.[20] (2015)	Increasing nurse and midwife engagement in research activity— action Plan	London	Policy and professional stimuli were used to increase the research capacity and capability of nurses and midwives and one trust was developed that supports the engagement of nurses and midwives in research through the development of a research strategy and a center for nurse and midwife-led research.
Elhamalnagshabandi, Sabah Mahmoud Ahmed Mahran[21] (2015)	Readiness of nurses to engage in research-based activities—Descriptive cross-sectional survey	Saudi Arabia	Results reported a lack of support from the administration and colleagues who are involved in research projects. Do not receive recognition for participation, e.g., authorship or publication
Edwards, Webber et al.[22] (2009)	Building Capacity for nurse-led research—Literature Review	Canada	A literature review examined graduate and postgraduate training opportunities, barriers, and enablers to nurses’ involvement in research. Factors limiting nurses’ involvement in research include hierarchies of power among disciplines, scarce resources, a lack of graduate and postgraduate education opportunities, few senior mentors, and prolonged underfunding of nursing research.
Tingen, Burnett[23] et al.	The Importance of Nursing Research	Georgia, US	This study concluded that initially, students were not familiar with all of the library resources available to them. In no time, the students learned which library and online resources had the most validity and what would be the most relevant to their research study. They recognize that their future professional possibilities are endless. Nursing research is an emerging and growing field in which individuals can apply their nursing education to discover new advancements that promote evidence-based care.

Barriers and challenges to nurses’ involvement in research

Nurses have recognized various barriers—a lack of understanding of the research process and how to critique the research, a lack of research awareness, coworkers unsupportive of practice change, and nurses feeling a lack of authority to change practice, insufficient time to implement new ideas, lack of access to research, lack of awareness about available educational tools related to research, poor support from their employing organizations to conduct research, research mentors, and educator deficit.[10]

Various strategies to develop research capacity among the nursing cadre

Nursing research capacity is vital for advancing the nursing discipline and patient outcomes.[11] Various strategies for augmenting research capacity are mentioned below [Table 2].

Table 2.

Strategies for developing research capacity among the nursing cadre

Strategies
Building research skills by research topic presentation in the educational session[24]
Generating new research ideas using personal experience and research familiarity in academic and clinical settings[25]
Building research capacity through library databases. Equipping nursing libraries with relevant nursing journals motivating student nurses and faculties to read the article on a regular basis.[26]
Journal Club Presentation: Through the journal club, nursing personnel can stay up to date with clinical research and practice critically evaluating research articles
Guidance session about the procedure of research proposal submission
Disseminating research findings: Present research work at local and regional conferences along with dissemination through posters and publications
Establishment of High Research Technology Lab.
Research capacity development programs at institution level
Mentoring: Highly regarded person (the mentor) guides another individual (the mentee) in the development and examination of their own ideas, learning, and personal and professional development[12,28]
Involvement of nurses in multidisciplinary research[29]
Conducting research should be mandatory in promotion criteria as in other professions
Research award and public recognition[27]
Research Award to nursing personnel who value research as a bridge to improving patient care, giving public recognition to them[13]
Nurses’ contribution in operational research: Nurses at administrative position needs to engage nurses to conduct operational research in public health to evaluate and improve national programs meant for the general population and mothers and their newborns.
Provision of nursing research budget: Providing research support to the nursing personnel by designation of special research cell with statistical assistance, writing support, and small self-paced research activities or short-term courses

Discussion and Findings

Strengthening nursing students’ research capacity

As future nurses, the students are strong proponents of nursing research, and this experience will also broaden their horizons regarding future professional growth and opportunities. In addition, they will better understand the importance of scientific evidence to support their clinical practice.

These results were supported by a study conducted by Tingen et al., who concluded that initially, students were not familiar with all the library resources available to them. In no time, the students learned that library and online resources would be the most relevant to their research study. In addition, the students learned the importance of being selective and time efficient.[12]

Globally, the nursing profession faces a challenge in improving the research skills of nursing personnel. By identifying and training the correct set of individuals with expertise in generating and using knowledge and with the above-mentioned strategies, nursing personnel can augment research capacity.

The integration of nurses skilled in conducting research and utilizing evidence-based practice with primary care physician and teams shows a promise for enhanced patient care and improved clinical outcomes. Nurse researchers can support widescale policy changes that help improve patient care on a micro and macro level. High-quality research from clinical settings can play a key role in expanding the scientific knowledge base to improve patient care and indirectly help physicians by producing excellent outputs in terms of cost effectiveness.[14]

Limitations

Many reviews contain proprietary information and are not publicly available, and our results include research data from 2001 to 2021.

Conclusion

This paper reviewed the literature on developing nursing research capacity. It has identified the key capacity-building strategies currently being implemented or recommended, the challenges such endeavors must overcome, and the broader contexts within which this process occurs. The results suggest a need for a significant shift in focus on educational training from imparting research content to providing opportunities to enhance the research capacity.

Financial support and sponsorship

Self-funded.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.