title: Lessons learned from conducting qualitative research in a hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine unexpected barriers to the conduct of hospital research during a study of nurses' activation of rapid response teams.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  We interviewed hospital nurses regarding their decisions to activate rapid response teams and encountered unexpected barriers to the conduct of this study in the hospital setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experience of conducting qualitative research with bedside nurses in a community hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Review of the reports of others who have conducted hospital research.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barriers related to administrative support, environmental distractors, constraints on nurses' time, apparent lack of investment in research by staff and a cumbersome recruitment process are identified. Recommendations on study site selection, timing of research, gaining access to nurses, scheduling and conducting interviews, and transcribing recorded data are made.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As evidence is necessary to deliver safe, quality care, it is important that nurses understand and participate in research. This participation involves not only conducting research, but also serving as subjects. Given the importance of bedside nurses' willingness to engage in research, it is crucial to understand factors that impede or assist their participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We offer several recommendations to nurses conducting research in hospitals, including: ■ Seek hospitals that are supportive of research, yet not over-invested in the process. ■ Build extra time into data collection schedules to maximize flexibility and accommodate work-place demands. ■ Emphasise the relevance and benefits of the research to nurses.
authors.affiliation: Mennonite College of Nursing Illinois State University, Normal, llinois, US.
authors.forename: Wendy Mann
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Woith
authors.forename: Sheryl Henry
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Kim Schafer
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Astroth
authors.forename: Julie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kennedy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D003657:Decision Making; D057209:Hospital Rapid Response Team / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006764:Hospitals, Community; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017748:Time Management
keywords: Hospital research; barriers to research; nurses; qualitative research; recruitment