Barriers to research utilization among registered nurses practicing in a community hospital.

Researchers have explored the barriers to research utilization in practice, yet community hospitals have been largely omitted from these studies and the research-practice gap remains. The aim of this study was to identify the barriers to research utilization among registered nurses practicing in a community hospital. In January of 2006, 376 registered nurses working in a community hospital in Washington State were invited to complete the 29-item Barriers to Research Utilization Scale. Twenty-one percent participated in this descriptive study. Barriers reported include lack of authority to change patient care procedures, lack of time to read research, and lack of awareness of research. Organizational strategies that can be used by staff development professionals to influence research awareness and utilization are discussed.