Lessons learned from conducting qualitative research in a hospital

• Published in: Nurse researcher Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 40 - 43
• Main Authors: Woith, Wendy Mann, Jenkins, Sheryl Henry, Astroth, Kim Schafer, Kennedy, Julie A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England RCNi 01.11.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Data Collection - methods; Decision Making; Evidence-based nursing; Hospital Rapid Response Team - organization & administration; Hospitals, Community; Humans; Interviews; Middle Aged; Nurse's Role; Nurses; Nursing; Nursing care; Nursing Care - organization & administration; Nursing Research - methods; Nursing Research - organization & administration; Qualitative Research; Recording equipment; Researchers; Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Management; United States > US; barriers to research; Hospital research; qualitative research; recruitment; nurses
• DOI: 10.7748/nr.22.2.40.e1280
• ISSN: 1351-5578

To examine unexpected barriers to the conduct of hospital research during a study of nurses' activation of rapid response teams. We interviewed hospital nurses regarding their decisions to activate rapid response teams and encountered unexpected barriers to the conduct of this study in the hospital setting. Experience of conducting qualitative research with bedside nurses in a community hospital. Review of the reports of others who have conducted hospital research. Barriers related to administrative support, environmental distractors, constraints on nurses' time, apparent lack of investment in research by staff and a cumbersome recruitment process are identified. Recommendations on study site selection, timing of research, gaining access to nurses, scheduling and conducting interviews, and transcribing recorded data are made. As evidence is necessary to deliver safe, quality care, it is important that nurses understand and participate in research. This participation involves not only conducting research, but also serving as subjects. Given the importance of bedside nurses' willingness to engage in research, it is crucial to understand factors that impede or assist their participation. We offer several recommendations to nurses conducting research in hospitals, including: ■ Seek hospitals that are supportive of research, yet not over-invested in the process. ■ Build extra time into data collection schedules to maximize flexibility and accommodate work-place demands. ■ Emphasise the relevance and benefits of the research to nurses.