title: Strategic Communication Intervention to Stimulate Interest in Research and Evidence-Based Practice: A 12-Year Follow-Up Study With Registered Nurses.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bridging the research-practice gap is a challenge for health care. Fostering awareness of and interest in research and development (R & D) can serve as a platform to help nurses and others bridge this gap. Strategic communication is an interdisciplinary field that has been used to achieve long-term interest in adopting and applying R & D in primary care.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a strategic communication intervention on long-term interest in R & D among primary care staff members (PCSMs) in general and registered nurses (RNs) in particular.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective intervention study included all members of the PCSMs, including RNs, in a Swedish primary care area. The interest of PCSMs in R & D was measured on two occasions, at 7 and 12 years, using both bivariate and multivariate tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 99.5% of RNs gained awareness of R & D after the first 7 years of intervention versus 95% of the remaining PCSMs (p = .004). A comparison of the two measurements ascertained stability and improvement of interest in R & D among RNs, compared with all other PCSMs (odds ratio 1.81; confidence interval 1.08-3.06). Moreover, the RNs who did become interested in R & D also demonstrated increased intention to adopt innovative thinking in their work over time (p = .005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RNs play an important role in reducing the gap between theory and practice. Strategic communication was a significant tool for inspiring interest in R & D. Application of this platform to generate interest in R & D is a unique intervention and should be recognized for future interventions in primary care. Positive attitudes toward R & D may reinforce the use of evidence-based practice in health care, thereby making a long-term contribution to the patient benefit.
authors.affiliation: Research Supervisor, Department of Research, Development and Education, Region Halland, Sweden and Department of Primary Health Care, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morténius
authors.affiliation: Professor, School of Social and Health Sciences, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden and Department of Primary Health Care, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Cathrine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hildingh
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Primary Healthcare, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden, Department of Primary Health Care, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden, and School of Health Sciences, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fridlund
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden
keywords: R & D interest; communication; dissemination; intervention; primary care; registered nurses; research-to-practice gap