Perspectives of breast care nurses on research dissemination and utilisation

Objectives: To identify barriers and facilitators to research utilisation as perceived by breast care nurses (BCNs) and to identify BCNs' preferred methods of receiving research based information.

The sample: 263 BCNs in the UK and represented a 76.2% response rate.

Data collection: Conducted by postal survey and consisted of a demographic questionnaire, the Barriers to Research Utilisation Scale [BARRIERS: The Barriers to Research Utilization Scale, 1987] and questions on preferred methods of dissemination.

Results: The most frequently identified barriers were associated with communication and organisational issues, e.g. ‘statistical analyses not understandable', ‘insufficient time on the job to implement new ideas', ‘facilities inadequate for implementation', ‘research not reported clearly and readably' and ‘no time to read research'. Facilitators included working within a motivated, supportive, research oriented team and time to read and discuss practical implications within specialist networks. BCNs perceived meeting experts, specialist conferences and discussion groups/workshop as the preferred methods for keeping up to date.

Conclusions: BCNs want and need research reports to be understandable, readily available and clearly presented but must improve their research appraisal skills. Relevant organisational barriers should be confronted with support from managers and the multidisciplinary team e.g. time, development and training.