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Critical mass in nursing and midwifery research groups in the West Midlands

Mid Staffs General Hospitals, NHS Trust

Christopher Maggs, BA (Hons), PhD, SRN, RMN, RCNT, FRSA

De Montfort University, Lei ester

One way of encouraging the implementation of research findings in practice is to develop research interest groups. Another way is to provide opportunities for clinical staff to participate in research studies. This study reports on a postal survey in one NHS region that mapped the type, membership and aims of existing research interest groups. It also reports on the experience of a clinical nurse who took part in a research study. A self-completion postal questionnaire was sent to nurse executives in NHS trusts, heads of research and development in trusts, nurses in purchasing, heads of department of nursing and midwifery education in higher education institutions, people with entries on the King's Fund Research and Practice Database, research nurse specialists, matrons of nursing homes and hospitals in the private healthcare sector and primary care facilitators/practice nurses across the region. A total of 1,500 questionnaires was sent out and 600 (40%) were returned. The vast majority of those who returned the questionnaires (546, 91%) did not belong to a group. Of the returned questionnaires reporting membership of a group, 54 provided data for further analysis. Consent to take part was implied through the completion and return of the questionnaire.

The main findings are that 'successful' research interest groups are trust-based, have some key organisational characteristics and hold regular meetings. The core indicator for success is enthusiasm and leadership by an individual or group. The clinical nurse gained insight into study design, data collection and analysis as well as the writing of reports for publication. The limitations of the study relate to measuring hard outcomes of research interest in clinical practice and the limitation of the study to one region.

Key Words: Research implementation • Groups • Appreciation • Survey • Critical mass • Success

Nursing Times Research, Vol. 5, No. 4, 306-313 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/136140960000500415


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