Significance and structure of clinical research in the UK: an introduction for gastroenterology and hepatology nurses

This is the first of two articles from the joint British Society of Gastroenterology Nurses association and Research Committee working group. The group is dedicated to signposting and improving access to research for specialist nurses working in gastroenterology and hepatology. This article is an introduction to the significance and structure of the National Institute for Health Research clinical research landscape in the UK and the importance of encouraging nurse engagement in research. This paper describes and 'demystifies' the clinical trials infrastructure in the UK, which is one of the most organised in the world. Going forwards this working group will organise and conduct educational events encouraging specialist nurses to become more aware of and engage in clinical research in their area of practice.

Measures to improve participation of registered nurses in HIV and AIDS research

Background

Registered nurses are crucial in lowering the complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in Nigeria. Human immunodeficiency virus infects individuals and impairs the immune system, impairing the body's capacity to fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Therefore, registered nurse-led initiatives are beneficial in promoting HIV and AIDS research development. However, these evidence-based treatments and professional expectations for registered nurse research creation do not represent contemporary research development on HIV and AIDS by registered nurses.

Aim

This study aimed to explore measures to improve the participation of registered nurses in HIV and AIDS research in Nigeria.

Setting

The study was conducted at a general hospital in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Methods

A qualitative approach design was employed. Participants of the study comprised 31 registered nurses in three focus groups.

Results

This study demonstrated the importance of research in effectively reducing HIV and AIDS transmission and maintaining good practices in a hospital setting in Nigeria. However, this understanding did not translate into knowledge creation through autonomous research productivity in this context.

Conclusion

The study discovered that registered nurses were primarily involved in data collection and validation, which did not result in publications. The study found that registered nurses in Nigeria are typically worried about ways to promote nurses' engagement in research in Nigeria.

Contribution

These results might be utilised to improve the supply of research services and act as a baseline for future research linked to HIV and AIDS transmission prevention in Nigeria.

Building research capacity and culture: Exploring nurses' experience of implementing a nurse-led clinical trial

AIM

To explore the experiences of a nursing team who implemented an international nurse-led clinical trial in practice and understand the facilitators to their involvement.

BACKGROUND

The role and responsibilities of the clinical nurse are advancing to encompass research activity to help inform evidence-based practice. However, several personal and organisational challenges can inhibit nurses' capacity to implement and undertake research within clinical practice.

METHODS

Three focus groups were conducted with members of a nursing team (N=18). Thematic analysis was employed, and themes were identified and agreed upon by the research team.

FINDINGS

Five themes were identified: 'Previous experience of and attitudes to participation in clinical research', 'Decision-making regarding participation in the clinical trial', 'Facilitators of participation in the clinical trial', 'Challenges of research in nursing practice' and 'Future orientation towards research'.

CONCLUSION

Through their experiences of implementing a nurse-led clinical trial within practice, nurses recognised a number of facilitators and challenges to their participation. The perceived relevance of the clinical trial to the nurses' practice, potential to improve patient care and appreciation of the nurse leader's expertise and understanding of their context were key motivators. Reciprocal trust with the nurse leader who was encouraging, motivating, supportive and accessible resulted in the engagement and commitment of the nursing team.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT

This paper offers a perspective that can inform senior nursing management teams when implementing and conducting evidence-based research amongst nursing teams and in doing so meet the needs of developing research capacity amongst clinical nurses.

Mixed methods systematic review: Factors influencing research activity among nurses in clinical practice

AIM

This study aimed to identify, evaluate and summarise current evidence in relation to the factors that influence the conducting of research by nurses in clinical practice.

DESIGN

This study used mixed methods systematic review.

DATA SOURCES

CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus and ASSIA, with dates limited from 2015 to 2020, were used to conduct a systematic search of the literature.

REVIEW METHODS

The Joanna Briggs Institute approach was followed, with results reported according to the Preferred Reporting System for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. The associated checklist for systematic reviews was also used. A standardised data extraction tool was then used, with quality appraisal guided by the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool, with a subsequent convergent qualitative synthesis.

RESULTS

Sixteen papers were identified for inclusion, nine quantitative, six qualitative and one mixed methods. Four themes were identified: research competence and culture, proactive research mentorship, research resources and making a difference. These were critically discussed in relation to barriers and enablers to the conduct of research by nurses in clinical practice. Commonly cited barriers included a lack of research knowledge, confidence and access to resources, particularly protected time, while enablers such as educational partnerships, identifying research-motivated clinical nurses and access to research role models were also apparent in the literature.

CONCLUSIONS

Globally, nurses in clinical practice are clearly motivated to engage in the research process despite apparent barriers that have a significant impact on productivity. Nevertheless, there are also enablers to building research capacity apparent that offer methodological and structural approaches to empower this group to conduct research.

Pediatric Oncology Nursing Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Exemplars from Three Regions

OBJECTIVE

This study examined the status of pediatric oncology nursing research in three low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) as examples across three World Health Organization regions: East Africa, Eastern Mediterranean region, and Latin America.

DATA SOURCES

Published literature was identified from Google Scholar, PubMed, Scielo, Virtual Health Library, and reference lists of some articles.

CONCLUSION

The experiences of the three LMIC pediatric oncology nurses illustrate the situation of nurse research in their setting and identify relevant published literature. The authors highlight the challenges for nurses to conduct research (eg, lack of training, mentors, funding, and opportunities). Local evidence to inform nursing practice in LMICs is needed. Recommendations for ameliorating the situation include increased advanced practice nurse education, physician and hospital support, funding, and protected time.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Pediatric oncology nursing practice is culturally and context-driven and requires locally acquired evidence to support best practices. Only when sufficient, sustainable, and local nursing research training and education is available in LMICs, will this evidence be generated. Nursing research training (eg, master's and PhD programs), funding, and protected time are three key steps to guide and motivate staff nurses as well as academic nurses to participate in research that informs the care of children and adolescents with cancer across all countries and not only those with significant resources.

Engaging Bedside Nurse in Research and Quality Improvement

Nurses are expected to participate in research and scholarly inquiry; despite ongoing attempts, the practice-research gap continues to be fraught with significant barriers. System strategies have not addressed concerns at the individual nurse level. Given the implications on quality and safety, focusing on identification of individual nurse strategies should be an important focus of attention for nursing leaders and researchers. This article seeks to describe barriers, potential solutions, and implications for nurse leaders.

Research-training needs of clinical nurses: A nationwide study among tertiary hospitals in China

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate Chinese tertiary hospital nurses' research output, research ability, and their related training needs regarding scientific research methodology and analyze the relations among them.

Methods

A nationwide survey was conducted in China on a large sample of tertiary hospital nurses (n = 27,335) recruited from 22 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities. A validated, self-designed questionnaire, consisted of a common questionnaire, the Science Research Skills Self-Rating Questionnaire (SRSQ) and the Scientific Research Training Needs Questionnaire (SRTNQ) were used to assess nurses' research output, self-rated research skills and research-training needs.

Results

The nurses' scientific research participation rates (with 4.13%, 7.85%, 5.35%, and 2.04% in research projects, research attendance, papers published, and patent, respectively) and their self-rated research skills 25.00 (12.50, 37.50) were very low. However, the research training needs were relatively high 53.12(37.50, 75.00). Significant differences in research participation rates (research projects, research attendance, papers published, and patent), scientific research skills, and research-training needs were determined by age, highest education level, nursing experience, employment, technical title, administrative post, and clinical tutoring experience (P < 0.05). Female and male nurses had different research participation rates (only research projects and studies published) and scientific research skills (P < 0.05). Positive correlations were observed among research output, scientific research skills, and research-training needs (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Nurses' scientific research participation and self-rated research ability were below the optimal despite that they had relatively high research-training needs. Nurses should be provided further research training with tailored content to their characteristics and capacity.

Registered Nurses' Self-Assessed Knowledge of Evidence-Based Practice and Research: Moving Forward With New Information

By 2020, most clinical decisions should be supported by best evidence. Therefore, nurses need institutional support and education about evidence-based practice (EBP) and research. The aim of this study was to describe nurses' self-assessed knowledge of EBP and research. Findings revealed nurses' knowledge of EBP and research ranged from no knowledge to high knowledge with opportunities for education. Providing for the use of best evidence is a dynamic process involving clinicians, educators, and administrators.

Engaging Clinical Nurses in Research: Nurses' Experiences Delivering a Communication Intervention in a Behavioral Oncology Clinical Trial

Despite the recognized need for clinical nurses to engage in the conduct of research, little is known about their research experiences. This article describes the experiences of nurses who delivered the communication intervention in a behavioral oncology clinical trial for parents of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted of nurse interveners' (NIs') reflections on their experiences delivering the communication intervention. Ten data-generating questions were developed to guide NIs' reflections. Twelve NIs responded via verbal discussions. Six of these also provided written responses. Overall, nurses' experiences as interveners were powerful and positive, and included time and space to be fully present with patients and families. Nurse interveners identified barriers to their involvement in research related to time constraints, administrative support, physical space to privately conduct the intervention, and difficulties maintaining expertise with the intervention. The importance of ongoing collaboration between nurses, unit staff, leaders, and study teams was corroborated. An unexpected finding was the importance of reflective clinical research.