Lessons learned from conducting qualitative research in a hospital.

AIM: To examine unexpected barriers to the conduct of hospital research during a study of nurses' activation of rapid response teams.

BACKGROUND: We interviewed hospital nurses regarding their decisions to activate rapid response teams and encountered unexpected barriers to the conduct of this study in the hospital setting.

DATA SOURCES: Experience of conducting qualitative research with bedside nurses in a community hospital.

REVIEW METHODS: Review of the reports of others who have conducted hospital research.

DISCUSSION: Barriers related to administrative support, environmental distractors, constraints on nurses' time, apparent lack of investment in research by staff and a cumbersome recruitment process are identified. Recommendations on study site selection, timing of research, gaining access to nurses, scheduling and conducting interviews, and transcribing recorded data are made.

CONCLUSION: As evidence is necessary to deliver safe, quality care, it is important that nurses understand and participate in research. This participation involves not only conducting research, but also serving as subjects. Given the importance of bedside nurses' willingness to engage in research, it is crucial to understand factors that impede or assist their participation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH/PRACTICE: We offer several recommendations to nurses conducting research in hospitals, including: ■ Seek hospitals that are supportive of research, yet not over-invested in the process. ■ Build extra time into data collection schedules to maximize flexibility and accommodate work-place demands. ■ Emphasise the relevance and benefits of the research to nurses.