Research in Practice is a column in the Evidence Based Library and Information Practice journal, published quarterly.

Radiography has seen most development over the last 30 years with the evolution of new technologies, but perhaps more significantly changes in education models and radiographer roles. The development of advanced and consultant posts has facilitated the growth of the profession, although the evidence base is still evolving. Through a number of research projects this thesis will explore the growth in the radiography evidence base with specific reference to the extending role of the radiographer in image interpretation. Parallel clinical and academic developments have provided evidence of a scholarly profession which is slowly establishing its place through publication and a growing research base.

Nurses face ongoing difficulties in using evidence and making a reality of evidence-based practice. Studies of the factors that facilitate or impede evidence-based practice suggest that nurse managers should have a key role, but the nature of this role has not yet been fully articulated. This study aimed to explore and explain the roles of nurse managers in relation to evidence-based practice implementation. Four case studies in Scottish NHS Acute Trusts provide rich data on evidence-based practice implementation, drawing on interviews (n = 51), observation and documentary analysis. A wide literature on evidence use in nursing suggests that implementation is hindered by confusion and debate about what counts as evidence, and by an incomplete understanding by staff of the complexity of implementation processes. This study confirms such conclusions. Moreover, the study reveals that the roles of nurse managers in facilitating evidence use are currently limited, largely passive and under-articulated. As such, the findings expose significant discrepancies between nurse managers' roles in practice and those espoused in much of the literature. Partial explanation for this can be found in the organisational contexts in which nurses and their managers work (e.g. competing demands; confused communication; diffuse and overloaded roles and limits to authority and autonomy). In particular, the role of the contemporary nurse manager is one that places considerable emphasis on aspects of general management to the detriment of clinical practice issues. More positively, the study uncovered genuine facilitation in two study sites where hybrid roles of nurse manager and clinical nurse specialist were in place. In both sites, these roles had been successful in supporting and progressing implementation in discrete areas of practice and show some potential for advancing evidence-based practice more widely. These findings have significant implications for research, policy and practice in relation to evidence-based practice in nursing.

Thesis (M.P.H.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 2008. / Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 46-05, page: 2673. Adviser: Linda Lloyd. Includes bibliographical references.

Abstract: Introduction: To explore the information seeking behavior of Internationally Educated Nurses (IENs) and to investigate their exposure to libraries and library training in both their home countries and after being hired in Saskatchewan. Methods: This two-phase multi-method project was carried out in Saskatchewan, Canada. A questionnaire was developed based on survey instruments used in previously conducted studies on the topic. Librarians in two academic institutions assisted with validation of the survey. In Phase 1, data were collected via an online questionnaire from IENs in three health regions: Saskatoon, Regina, and Sunrise. In Phase 2, the study was expanded to IENs in all the health regions in the province. The same questionnaire from Phase 1 was used during telephone interviews with participants. Results: A total of 17 IENs responded (Phase 1, n = 9, Phase 2, n = 8). Results show that IENs, although interested in looking for information for their practice, are hindered by a lack of knowledge of how and where to seek relevant clinical information as well as a lack of library training. As a result, their main source of information is the Internet (Google). Discusion: Despite barriers such as time to information seeking, results revealed that given the opportunity IENs would like to receive library training to enhance their information seeking skills.