Combining health and social protection measures to reach the ultra ...

Research resourcesutilization are paramount to good decision-making at both thepolicy and practice level. Databases, marketing and networksare three such strategies. Increased access to the Internet,particularly in developing countries, will allow better sharingof information – both published and that underway.Marketing results in simple, easy to read and easy to applypackaging is also another means of advancing disseminationand uptake of findings 21 . For example, the ICN is launching aseries of Fact Sheets that focus on Innovation, Evidence andEffectiveness which aim to inform the profession, public,politicians, policy-makers and others about nursing roles andoutcomes. Networks linking nurse researchers and thoseinterested in nursing research (e.g. the ICN ResearchNetwork and the Working Group of European NurseResearchers) are also helping to bring synergy andstewardship to the profession’s efforts.There is a need for more national level structures thatsupport/promote nursing research as an element of essentialnational research. Ensuring that reliable, sustainable fundingis available and aligning research programmes with nationalhealth priorities are paramount. Stronger linkages amonggovernment, policy-makers, researchers, practitioners,employers, educational institutions and funding agencies arecritical, as is the inclusion of nursing in broader policy leveldiscussions and decisions about health-related researchprogrammes.The International Council of Nurses has long recognizedresearch-based practice as a hallmark of professional nursingand maintains an ongoing commitment to supportingadvancements in this area 22 . The Council works with theWorld Health Organization, nongovernmental organizationsand others to ensure that the international nursing researchagenda is visible and included in priority statements.ICN works to enhance nursing research and researchbasedpractice by:✜ Facilitating and promoting the conduct, disseminationand utilization of research related to nursing, health andhealth care systems.✜ Collaborating with national and internationalorganizations to enhance nurses’ contributions tonursing, health and health systems research.✜ Promoting opportunities for nurses to disseminateresearch and publish in international journals such as theInternational Nursing Review.✜ Supporting networks that link nurse researchers (e.g. theICN Research Network http://www.icn.ch/resnet.htm).✜ Providing opportunities for nurses from around the globeto exchange experiences and views on current issues andtrends in nursing research (e.g. ICN Research Networkmeetings at ICN congresses and conferences).✜ Encouraging member national nurses associations intheir research-related capacity building.✜ Promoting research in areas which have practicalimplications and improved outcomes for patients, andwhich are meaningful to nurses’ daily practice.✜ Providing global leadership in establishing ethicalguidelines for nurses in the conduct, dissemination andutilization of research.✜ Publishing comprehensive guidance (e.g. ICN PracticalGuide for Nursing Research and Ethical Guidelines forNursing Research).✜ Maintaining position statements on nursing research andfact sheets.✜ Lobbying for the inclusion of nurse researchers onappropriate research boards, and health-relatedinternational research bodies.ICN is also supporting its member associations in theirefforts to enhance nursing research, particularly through:✜ Improving access to education which prepares nurses toconduct research, critically evaluate research outcomes,and promoting appropriate application of researchfindings to nursing practice.✜ Lobbying for nursing research funding from public andprivate sources.Concluding remarksGlobally, nurses are discovering new and improved ways ofdelivering care that are grounded in new knowledge andevidence derived through research 23 . Today nursing researchis increasingly part of the curriculum of basic nursingeducation and students and staff are expected to incorporateresearch findings in their daily practice. Investing in nursingresearch and health research more generally makes goodeconomic and social sense. The knowledge acquired throughresearch is a public health good that helps find better ways ofhealth promotion, disease prevention, treatment andrehabilitation as well as improved systems design, financingand functions 24 . This is assuredly the case with nursingresearch. ❏Judith A Oulton is Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the GenevabasedInternational Council of Nurses. She also serves as CEO ofthe Florence Nightingale International Foundation and theInternational Council of Nurses Foundation. Judith Oulton’sparticular areas of expertise include human resources, strategicplanning and futures. Her Bachelor of Nursing and Master inEducation were earned at the University of New Brunswick. Shealso holds honorary doctoral degrees from McMaster University andl’Université de Moncton in Canada. Judith Oulton sits on a numberof health-related boards of directors and advisory groups and haspublished extensively.Patricia Caldwell is an independent consultant in the field ofnursing and health services. She has undertaken extensive work forthe International Council of Nurses, primarily in the area of healthhuman resources. Patricia holds a Master’s degree in nursing fromthe University of Toronto.120 ✜ Global Forum Update on Research for Health Volume 4