1.0 Introduction
1.1 Background of Study
The mid-20th century saw the establishment of nursing research as a distinct field. The first nursing research journal, Nursing Research, was launched in 1952, providing a platform for disseminating research findings. Federal funding for nursing research began in the 1950s through the National Institutes of Health in the United States, further legitimizing the field (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2011). From the late 1990s to the 2000s, nursing education began to systematically incorporate EBP principles. Professional organizations, such as the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN), emphasized the importance of EBP in their standards and guidelines (ANA, 2015).
Evidence-based practice in nursing involves integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to guide healthcare decisions (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2019). Similarly, according to Sackett et al., (1996), the Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is defined as a systematic method of reviewing, appraising, and utilizing clinical research findings to make informed patient care decisions. It involves integrating individual clinical expertise with the best external clinical evidence derived from systematic research (Sackett et al., 1996). EBP is a critical approach in the nursing profession that combines the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to inform and guide clinical decision-making. in the dynamic field of nursing, the integration of research findings into clinical practice is not merely advantageous but indispensable. Evidence-based practice (EBP) stands at the forefront, bridging the gap between research outcomes and patient care, ensuring interventions are grounded in the latest scientific knowledge. As nurses strive to deliver optimal care and enhance patient outcomes, the utilization of research findings becomes paramount.
Evidence-based practice (EBP) in the nursing profession is a systematic approach that integrates the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to make decisions about the care of individual patients. The development and integration of EBP in nursing have been influenced by historical milestones, advancements in research methodologies, and a growing recognition of the need for high-quality patient care. According to Sackett et al., (1996), the nursing profession is increasingly embracing EBP as a cornerstone for delivering high-quality patient care. EBP integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values, aiming to optimize outcomes and enhance healthcare delivery (Sackett et al., 1996). Despite the clear advantages, the implementation of EBP in nursing faces challenges related to knowledge translation and organizational support (Melnyk et al., 2019).
Research findings provide a robust foundation for evidence-based practice, offering nurses evidence to guide clinical decisions and interventions. However, the gap between research and practice persists, necessitating a deeper understanding of the factors influencing the utilization of research findings among nurses. Exploring these factors is crucial for developing strategies that promote effective EBP implementation and improve patient care outcomes.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Benefit of Research Findings Utilization for Evidence Based Practices in the Nursing Profession.
1.2 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that many nurses have not received adequate training in EBP methodologies during their formal education. This lack of foundational knowledge makes it difficult for them to understand, appraise, and apply research findings in clinical practice (Pravikoff et al., 2005). Also, in busy clinical settings, immediate patient care needs often take precedence over EBP activities. This prioritization can result in EBP being viewed as a secondary task rather than an integral part of patient care (Stokke, Olsen, Espehaug, & Nortvedt, 2014).
Additionally, Nurses frequently work in high-stress environments with heavy patient loads, leaving little time to engage in EBP activities. The time required to search for, review, and implement research findings is often seen as an additional burden on top of their clinical responsibilities (Bonner & Sando, 2008).
Furthermore, Nurses often lack the skills needed to conduct literature searches, critically appraise research studies, and integrate evidence into practice. This skill deficit can lead to reliance on outdated practices rather than current, evidence-based methods (Melnyk, Gallagher-Ford, Long, & Fineout-Overholt, 2014). Hence, it is against this backdrop that this study aims to examine the benefit of research findings utilization for evidence based practices in the nursing profession.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to explore the benefits derived from the utilization of research findings in evidence-based practices (EBP) within the nursing profession, with a focus on improving patient care outcomes and advancing nursing practice. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To analyze how the implementation of EBP based on research findings contributes to improved patient outcomes and healthcare quality;
- To evaluate the extent to which nurses integrate research findings into their clinical decision-making processes;
- To identify barriers and facilitators influencing the utilization of research findings in evidence based practices; and
- To propose strategies that will promote effective EBP implementation, addressing identified barriers and leveraging facilitators.
1.4 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there organizational factors facilitate or hinder the utilization of research findings in nursing practice, such as support from management and availability of resources?
- Does the implementation of evidence-based practices based on research findings have impact on patient outcomes and healthcare quality?
- What are the main barriers that nurses face in effectively translating research findings into evidence-based practice?
- How can education and professional development programs be enhanced to better prepare nurses to utilize research findings in evidence-based practice?
- How do nurses perceive the importance of integrating research findings into their daily clinical practice?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
In order to pursue the objective of this study, the following generalized statements have been designed to guide and aids in obtaining the result for the experiment to be conducted. For this work, the null hypothesis will be represented with H0 while the alternative hypothesis will be represented with hypothesis H1.
Hypothesis One
- H0: There are no significant relationship between the utilization of research findings in evidence-based practices and improved patient care outcomes in the nursing profession
- H1: There are significant relationship between the utilization of research findings in evidence-based practices and improved patient care outcomes in the nursing profession
1.6 Significance of Study
The significance of studying the utilization of research findings for evidence-based practices in the nursing profession lies in its potential to transform patient care and advance the field of nursing:
- Understanding how nurses integrate research findings into their practice can enhance the quality of care delivered to patients, ensuring it is based on the latest scientific evidence.
- Identifying barriers and facilitators to evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation can inform strategies to improve healthcare outcomes and efficiency within healthcare settings.
- Enhancing EBP among nurses can contribute to reducing healthcare disparities and improving patient safety by promoting standardized, evidence-based interventions.
- Investigating the impact of research utilization on nursing practice can provide insights into effective professional development and educational programs for nurses, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for delivering evidence-based care.
- Ultimately, the study targets to bridge the gap between research and practice in nursing, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in patient care delivery.
Finally, this study will be extremely helpful to other researchers who wish to learn more about it. Non-researchers can also use it to expand on their own research projects. This research adds to the body of knowledge and may help direct future investigations.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Benefit of Research Findings Utilization for Evidence Based Practices in the Nursing Profession using Enugu State University Teaching Hospital as a case study.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, there were some problems encountered which stood as limitations to the research work. Some of the limitations include:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Initial Cooperation Delay from Respondents: A particular limitation of this work came as a result of the respondent refusal to offer their cooperation at the initial time they were contacted. This contributed in making the success of this research study difficult.
1.9 Operational Definition of Terms
Patient Care Outcomes:
Patient care outcomes are the measurable results of healthcare interventions on patient health status and well-being, such as recovery rates, symptom management, and quality of life (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, n.d.).
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP):
ESP in nursing involves integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences to guide healthcare decisions (Melnyk et al., 2019).
Research Findings:
Research findings refer to the results and conclusions derived from scientific studies, including quantitative and qualitative research, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, which provide evidence for healthcare practices (Polit & Beck, 2022).
Knowledge Translation:
Knowledge translation is the process of ensuring that research findings are effectively integrated into healthcare practice and policy, bridging the gap between knowledge generation and application (Canadian Institutes of Health Research, n.d.).
Nursing Care Plan:
It is a medical plan that is used in practice to determine each person's unique care needs through a methodical, scientific approach to problem-solving.
Health:
It is the level of functional and metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans it is the ability of individuals or communities to adapt and self-manage when facing physical, mental, psychological and social changes with environment.
1.10 Organization of the Study
For the information presented in a research work to be clearly understood and appreciated, a systematic and chronological presentation of the work is of greater importance. In keeping with this, this research has been organized and presented in five chapters;
Chapter One of the study, provides background of the study, stating the problem of the study and the research questions and hypotheses to be tested in the study. It also highlights the significance of the study and scope of the study.
Chapter Two reviews related literature on the Benefit of Research Findings Utilization for Evidence Based Practices in the Nursing Profession.
Chapter Three; information on the method employed in the collection of data and their analysis can be found in this chapter. Also in this chapter, justification is provided for the adoption of the methods and analytical techniques employed.
Chapter Four; This involves the presentation and analyses of data findings from the testing of hypothesis are also presented here.
Chapter Five; This is the final chapter and it contains the summary of the entire work done, the conclusions down, and the recommendations made by the researcher based on the findings of the research work.
Appendices; It is usual practice that in the final pages of research work, reproductions of some document such as questionnaire relevant tables, statute, and letters attached for a better appreciation of the research work by the reader. This can also serve as a means of verification work done.
