[Reading: a source of information. Study of motivational factors, influencing the reading of professional literature in nursing].

A qualitative research among 13 Dutch nurses working in different areas of nursing investigated which factors might influence nurses' motivation (not) to read specialist literature. Two central subjects were identified: nurses' personal interests and the influence of the environment at work. Analysis of the data shows a great influence of the work environment on the individual nurse's choice to read specialist literature: the more stimulating the environment is towards developing and discussing knowledge, the more nurses make use of specialist literature. An individual reason to consult such literature is formed by the presence of "search questions", based on incidents in a person's actual work situation. Informants report little or no interest in research or studies: they only incidentally read abstracts of research findings, and only concerning subjects directly linked with their own practice situation. Influence of the work environment seems to play an important role on the choice made.