title: Understanding work contextual factors: a short-cut to evidence-based practice?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has become increasingly clear that workplace contextual factors make an important contribution to provider and patient outcomes. The potential for health care professionals of using research in practice is also linked to such factors, although the exact factors or mechanisms for enhancing this potential are not understood. From a perspective of implementing evidence-based nursing practice, the authors of this article report on a study examining contextual factors.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to identify predictors of organizational improvement by measuring staff perceptions of work contextual factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Quality Work Competence questionnaire was used in a repeated measurement survey with a 1-year break between the two periods of data collection. The sample consisted of 134 employees from four neonatal units in Sweden.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over the study period significant changes occurred among staff perceptions, both within and between units, on various factors. Changes in staff perceptions on skills development and participatory management were the major predictors of enhanced potential of overall organizational improvement. Perceived improvement in skills development and performance feedback predicted improvement in leadership. Change in commitment was predicted by perceived decreases in work tempo and work-related exhaustion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings indicate the potential for organizational improvement by developing a learning and supportive professional environment as well as by involving staff in decision-making at the unit level. Such initiatives are also likely to be of importance for enhanced use of research in practice and evidence-based nursing. On the other hand, high levels of work tempo and burnout appear to have negative consequences on staff commitment for improving care and the work environment. A better understanding of workplace contextual factors is necessary for improving the organizational potential of getting research into practice and should be considered in future implementation projects.
authors.affiliation: CRU, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. lars.wallin@karonlinska.se
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wallin
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ewald
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wikblad
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scott-Findlay
authors.forename: Bengt B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Arnetz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002055:Burnout, Professional / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D030141:Feedback, Psychological; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D015279:Organizational Culture; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology