Nurses’ Opinion towards Barriers and Facilitators of Clinical Utilization of Research Results in Abadan and Khorramshahr Hospitals

Introduction: In spite of qualitative and quantitative improvements in nursing studies, the application of findings in practice is quite limited among nurses. It seems that there are some factors acting as barriers or facilitators in spreading and employing the findings. Therefore, this study was done in order to identify nurses’ opinion regarding barriers and facilitators of clinical utilization of study results in Abadan and Khorramshahr hospitals. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in year 2007 on a hundred nurses of Abadan and Khoramshahr hospitals selected through convenience sampling. The questionnaire (whose reliability and validity had been confirmed) included 3 parts of demographic data, barriers to clinical utilization of study findings, and factors facilitating the application of study results in clinical settings. Data were analyzed by SPSS software using statistical tests of mean, standard deviation, and relative frequency. Results: Top three barriers to apply study results in clinical settings were shortage of facilities for utilization of study results with Mean and SD of (3.54±0.7), lack of enough time for implementing innovative ideas (3.37±0.86), and lack of close cooperation between university and hospital (3.36±0.94). Conducting in-service training courses on new research findings (3.73±0.54), training nurses for further information on research methodology (3.69±0.54), and equipping hospital library with a variety of journals and internet access (3.68±0.63) were determined as the most important facilitators. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it is necessary to put extensive efforts on individual and organizational aspects to reduce barriers and develop facilitators. This enables nurses to change their Patient’s care practice towards more evidence based one.