Nurses’ and Midwives’ experiences of accessing evidence for teaching, research and clinical practice in Ghana: A mixed methods study

Abstract

Abstract Aim To gain a detailed understanding of N&M experiences of accessing published research to support their practice. Design Mixed-methods Study Background Access to up-to-date research evidence is essential for Nurses and Midwives’ (N&Ms) practice, as it enhances patient outcomes. However, N&Ms in Ghana face challenges that limit their ability to access or produce relevant research. It is important to understand the challenges from the perspectives of N&Ms to help in developing effective interventions to enhance evidence-based practice. The six steps to quality intervention development (6SQuID) framework provides a useful framework to engage with N&Ms to identify factors that hinder their ability to access up-to-date research evidence. Methods A total of 100 participants completed the survey (female 55%) and 43 N&Ms (female, 79%) recruited from two teaching hospitals participated in the workshop to generate the qualitative data. The qualitative data was analysed into themes, quantitative data was analysed using descriptive statistics and integration was achieved through thematic analysis. Results The results showed that N&Ms face individual level challenges such as insufficient research skills, lack of motivation and have limited time to commit to research related activities. Lack of infrastructure support significantly limit the opportunity for N&Ms access research evidence. Conclusion The findings point to the complexity of the challenges - occurring across different systems and at different levels - experienced by N&Ms trying to access published research literature in Ghana. Such complexity requires interventions to be developed with a range of stakeholders and focused at different levels from the individual to infrastructural. Patient or public contribution This study included participatory methods through which the participants defined and framed the problem in a contextually situated manner. However, there was no public or patient involvement in the design, conduct or reporting of this study.