Changing the culture of mental health nursing: the contribution of nursing clinical development units

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2005 Nov;26(9):921-33. doi: 10.1080/01612840500248213.

Abstract

The reluctance of nurses to utilise research findings in their practice has been extensively discussed in the literature. Nursing Clinical Development Units (NCDU) represent one approach to facilitating a greater interaction between research and nursing practice. This paper presents the results of an impact evaluation of an NCDU program operating in Victoria, Australia. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants in the NCDU program (n = 14). The findings suggest an increase in accessing and ultilising research by nurses since the introduction of the program, with an increased focus on evidence-based practice.

MeSH terms

  • Australia
  • Evidence-Based Medicine / methods*
  • Humans
  • Medical Informatics / methods*
  • Mental Health Services / standards*
  • Organizational Culture
  • Psychiatric Nursing / standards*