Nurses' participation and utilization of research in the Republic of China

A survey was done to improve understanding of nurses' participation in rese arch activities and their utilization of research for practice in one devel oping country, the Republic of China. The sample for this 1996-1997 study w as 382 staff nurses and nurse managers. Using two instruments designed for the project it was found that although research participation was low overa ll, 64% participated in some research activities with data collection and p resentation at national conferences the most frequent activities. Nearly ha lf the nurses had utilized research to change practice in the previous thre e years. The main barriers to utilization were lack of time and lack of sta ff. Role models, consultation and guidance to locate useful research were t he main types of needed assistance. The findings provide direction for futu re training, education and managerial policy, especially for nurses in deve loping countries, which account for 84% of the world's population and 93% o f the worldwide burden of disease. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.