The BARRIERS scale -- the barriers to research utilization scale: A systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A commonly recommended strategy for increasing research use in clinical practice is to identify barriers to change and then tailor interventions to overcome the identified barriers. In nursing, the BARRIERS scale has been used extensively to identify barriers to research utilization.</p> <p>Aim and objectives</p> <p>The aim of this systematic review was to examine the state of knowledge resulting from use of the BARRIERS scale and to make recommendations about future use of the scale. The following objectives were addressed: To examine how the scale has been modified, to examine its psychometric properties, to determine the main barriers (and whether they varied over time and geographic locations), and to identify associations between nurses' reported barriers and reported research use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Medline (1991 to September 2009) and CINHAL (1991 to September 2009) were searched for published research, and ProQuest^®digital dissertations were searched for unpublished dissertations using the BARRIERS scale. Inclusion criteria were: studies using the BARRIERS scale in its entirety and where the sample was nurses. Two authors independently assessed the study quality and extracted the data. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Sixty-three studies were included, with most using a cross-sectional design. Not one study used the scale for tailoring interventions to overcome identified barriers. The main barriers reported were related to the setting, and the presentation of research findings. Overall, identified barriers were consistent over time and across geographic locations, despite varying sample size, response rate, study setting, and assessment of study quality. Few studies reported associations between reported research use and perceptions of barriers to research utilization.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The BARRIERS scale is a nonspecific tool for identifying general barriers to research utilization. The scale is reliable as reflected in assessments of internal consistency. The validity of the scale, however, is doubtful. There is no evidence that it is a useful tool for planning implementation interventions. We recommend that no further descriptive studies using the BARRIERS scale be undertaken. Barriers need to be measured specific to the particular context of implementation and the intended evidence to be implemented.</p

Innovation Ecosystem

An innovation ecosystem has typically been conceptualized as a relatively independent and coherent institutional system primarily comprising of loosely coupled actors sharing a common understanding, and who collaboratively exchange knowledge and ideas leading to innovation

Life-long battle: Perceptions of Type 2 diabetes in Thailand

Background: The number of people in Thailand who have Type 2 diabetes has increased dramatically making it one of the country's major health problems the rising prevalence of diabetes in Thailand is associated with dietary changes, reduced physical activity and health education. Although there is much research about health education programmes, the most effective methods for promoting sustainability and adherence to self-management among diabetics remains unclear. Objectives: To examine the perceptions of participants in Thailand regarding Type 2 diabetes and to utilize the findings to formulate a model for patient education. Methods: A grounded theory approach was selected and semi-structured face to face interviews and focus group were used to gather data from 33 adults with Type 2 diabetes. Results: Five explanatory categories emerged from the data: causing lifelong stress and worry, finding their own ways, after a while, still cannot and wanting a normal life. Conclusion: A new approach to patient education about Type 2 diabetes in Thailand is needed to give patients a better understanding, provide recommendations that they can apply to their daily lives, and include information about alternative medication the Buddhist way of thinking and effective strategies enhancing self-efficacy should be applied to patient education to promote sustainability and adherence to self-management