• J Adv Nurs · Feb 2012

    Information-seeking behaviour of nurses: where is information sought and what processes are followed?

    • Denise Fiona O'leary and Siobhán Ni Mhaolrúnaigh.
    • Department of Nursing and Health Care Studies, Institute of Technology, Tralee, Co Kerry, Ireland. denise.oleary@research.ittralee.ie
    • J Adv Nurs. 2012 Feb 1;68(2):379-90.

    AimThis paper is a report of a study on how nurses inform their decision-making in the workplace.BackgroundDespite the growing availability of research evidence, nurses have been slow to adopt it into their daily decision-making.MethodThe study was undertaken in Ireland between 2006 and 2007 using a sequential mixed methods approach. In phase 1, the views of a quota sample of 29 nurses were explored using semi-structured interviews incorporating vignettes. Phase 2 involved the design and dissemination of a survey to a disproportionate stratified random sample of 1356 nurses. The response rate was 29%.FindingsIn decision-making, nurses accessed other people, especially nursing colleagues, the most frequently. Sources that provided prepackaged information such as guidelines were favoured over sources that provided access to original research. The process of information-seeking for routine and non-routine decisions was different. Nurses making routine decisions relied mostly on their experience and an assessment of the patient. In non-routine decision-making, participants experienced more uncertainty about their decisions. Accordingly, sources of information used were more varied and the information-seeking process more extensive. The study highlighted the complexities of establishing whether information used in decision-making is research based or not.ConclusionRoutine practices should be reviewed and updated regularly through organizational mandates, as nurses do not generally question them. Research information to inform non-routine decision-making must be easily available to nurses in their workplace, as information searches generally prioritize finding enough, rather than the best, information to make a decision.© 2011 The Authors. Journal of Advanced Nursing © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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