For over 20 years, nursing literature has discussed the gap between th
e conduct of research and the use of its findings to improve practice.
Factors relating to the nurse, the setting, the research, and the way
research is presented have been identified as barriers to research ut
ilization. A combined approach that includes specialty organizations t
hat take the lead in knowledge synthesis and dissemination, the creati
on of national on-line databases, and enhanced institutional supports
and educational efforts is recommended.