Research and development in a Northern Ireland trust.
OBJECTIVE
A cross-sectional survey was carried out with the aim of ascertaining the perceived research and development (R&D) capacity of an integrated trust in Northern Ireland.


METHODS
All registered nurses in the trust were invited to participate (n = 786). Data were collected via the Research and Development Culture Index, which is an 18-item, four-point Likert scale. It addresses R&D capacity under three main headings: context, knowledge/skills and intent.


RESULTS
A number of areas were perceived as limiting the R&D capacity of the trust, such as a lack of support for nurses in changing practice, a lack of knowledge of research terminology and how to apply findings to practice, but an overwhelming desire by the nurses to overcome these barriers emerged.


CONCLUSIONS
The trust responded to the findings of the survey and introduced a number of strategies to counteract the limitations noted, such as the introduction of R&D link nurses trust-wide.
Glacken
Michèle
M
Trinity College, School of Nursing & Midwifery Studies, University of Dublin, Ireland. glackenm@tcd.ie
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009660:Northern Ireland; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D012944:Social Support; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires