Developing an Evidence-Based Culture: A Grounded Theory Approach

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Primary Author:</td>
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Sandra L. Siedlecki, PhD, RN, CNS</td>
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Co-Principal Investigators/Collaborators:</td>
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Nancy Albert, PhD, RN</td>
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Organization:</td>
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Cleveland Clinic</td>
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Abstract</h2>
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Purpose</h3>
<p>A Grounded Theory study was used to develop a theoretical understanding of factors that affect nurses’ decisions participate in nursing inquiry projects and strategies that facilitate successful conduct of nursing research projects.</p>
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Background</h3>
<p>Clinical nurses are in a key position to facilitate translation of research into interventions that improve patient outcomes. Barriers to research utilization by clinical nurses have been previously identified. However, removal of barriers has not been found to increase use of research by nurses. Yet, in spite of barriers, some nurses do translate and generate nursing evidence. Thus investigations that identify factors, which facilitate translation and generation of nursing knowledge, may provide a framework to develop interventions that will promote an evidence-based culture.</p>
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Materials & Methods</h3>
<p>After IRB approval a sample of 26 clinical nurses who had been a principle investigator on at least one IRB approved nursing research study were recruited and interviewed for this study. Interviews were digitally recorded and analyzed by two researchers to identify themes, core concepts, and relationships between concepts using the constant comparative method.</p>
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Results</h3>
<p>A multidimensional model was generated. Together, impetus factors and support conditions were associated with conduct of research by clinical nurses. Impetus factors include characteristics of the nurse or the practice environment and the influence of specific events or individuals that provided driving force for the nurses’ initial attempt to conduct research. Support conditions were personal, environmental, or organizational conditions necessary for successful completion of a study. </p>
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Conclusion</h3>
<p>Using this framework, we developed a program that provides support and mentoring to clinical nurses (impetus factors and supporting conditions) with an interest in translating and generating nursing evidence. This program consists of doctoral prepared nurse researchers and nurse scientists. In the past 8 years this approach has resulted in over 150 completed studies with 145 studies still in data collection at this time. In addition, we have had over 350 nurse authored publications during this same time.</p>
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Bibliography</h3>
<ul>
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Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research: Grounded theory procedures and techniques. CA: Sage</li>
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Thompson, C., McCaughan, D., Cullum, N., Sheldon, T., & Raynor, P. (2005). Barriers to evidence-based practice in primary care nursing-Why viewing decision-making context is helpful. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 52(4), 432-444.</li>
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<p>© Improvement Science Research Network, 2012</p>
<p>The ISRN published this as received and with permission from the author(s).</p>