UTILIZATION OF NURSING RESEARCH - CULTURE, INTEREST AND SUPPORT

This paper acknowledges that the successful utilization of nursing res earch in practice is a highly complex task. Basic requisites include a positive research culture associated with the essential interest and support needed to promote change. Within this framework factor's conce rned with the research culture within nursing and the NHS are consider ed, as well as the research-practice gap, the role of researchers, edu cational issues and the need for both local and national support. Comp arisons are made with the more positive research culture in the USA, a nd some American research utilization models are mentioned. It is sugg ested that research is not highly regarded in the UK and that the requ ired level of interest and support depend on nursing research becoming an expected, valued and rewarded activity. Some general suggestions f or actions which should promote research utilization are made.