A study to identify the attitudes and needs of qualified staff concerning the use of research findings in clinical practice within mental health care settings.

In 1972 the Report of the Committee on Nursing recommended that nursing should become a research-based profession. Although, it is acknowledged that research has made a significant contribution to the body of nursing theory since then, it has had little impact on clinical practice. The present study is a small exploratory survey to assess the attitudes and needs of qualified nurses working within mental health care settings concerning the use of research findings in practice. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent to trained nurses working within a defined geographical area in the south-east of England and 118 were returned, giving a response rate of 78%. The main findings suggest that although the vast majority of nurses in the study have a very positive attitude towards research, very few actually make significant use of research findings to enhance their clinical practice. Some of the variables that seem to contribute to this state of affairs are: lack of the necessary research appreciation skills to critically evaluate research findings and apply them in practice; not enough relevant research studies available in the clinical areas; and inadequate support from managers. However, most of the nurses in the study said that they would be involved with research activities if the time was provided for them to do so.