Barriers and facilitators influencing research utilization in clinical nursing and midwifery: an exploratory qualitative study

Background: Research utilization is critical in evidence-based practice, enhancing patient outcomes and professionalism of service providers. Despite its importance, implementation in nursing and midwifery remains low due to various barriers. Understanding these barriers and identifying facilitators can inform strategies to enhance research utilization and promote evidence-based practice.

Objective: To explore the barriers and facilitators influencing research utilization as well as strategies to promote it in clinical nursing and midwifery practice in Kumasi, Ghana.

Design: A qualitative descriptive methodology was employed.

Setting: Six hospitals in Ghana

Participants: One hundred and twenty clinical nurses and midwives

Methods: Purposive sampling with seventeen focus group discussions was held to collect data which were recorded and transcribed. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis was applied using the steps of research utilization: access, analysis, dissemination, and implementation as a guiding framework. Lincoln and Guba’s criteria of trustworthiness were applied in the study.

Results: Three themes were identified: barriers, facilitators, and strategies. Barriers included lack of resources (physical, financial, and time) and inadequate research knowledge due to deficiencies in nursing and midwifery education. Facilitators comprised continuous professional development and higher education. Having designated research units in hospitals was part of the strategies to improve research utilization.

Conclusion: The findings have significant implications for healthcare practice, suggesting the need for improved resources, education, and organizational support to promote research utilization. Further studies on the preparation of nurses and midwives for research utilization in their education should be conducted, and recommendations made for adequate research education in nursing and midwifery.