Research is recognised globally as an essential component to the delivery of evidence-based healthcare, impacting positively on patients, staff and organisations. Evaluating research findings in clinical practice settings and facilitating the uptake of evidence into practice requires clinical environments willing to embrace a research culture.
That is, a culture where research evidence is valued, clinicians are encouraged to participate in research related activities, opportunities are created for staff to acquire research skills, research achievements are acknowledged and there is investment in research resources.
Healthcare organisations that have a strong research culture have lower patient mortality rates, higher patient and staff satisfaction, reduced staff turnover and improved organisational efficiencies.[3]
The HNE Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre (NMRC) was established 17 years ago, back in 2005, and we have devoted this time to developing and growing a culture of critical enquiry and research within the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) Nursing and Midwifery professions.
The NMRC’s key focus into the future is to continue to strengthen and advance the research culture, capacity and capability within our Nursing and Midwifery workforce. The Centre’s work is pivotal to supporting clinician nurses and midwives to play key roles in improving health and care outcomes through ongoing commitment to fostering and promoting practice-based research that is led by clinician nurses and midwives.
HNELHD nurses and midwives have a distinguished history of conducting high quality practice-based research that impacts positively on the quality and safety of care provided across all clinical contexts. Nursing and Midwifery led research comprises many different research lenses.
These lenses offer valuable perspectives by which to investigate health-related questions and dilemmas, illuminating a whole picture of health for individuals, communities, and populations, informing practice and policy, optimizing health and advancing health equity into the future.
Development of this HNE Nursing and Midwifery Research Strategic Plan was informed by the previous 2020-21 Plan,[4] the HNELHD 2021-26 Strategic Plan,[5] the HNELHD Research 2021- 2022 Plan,[6] the HNELHD Rural and Regional Health Services Research Plan 2020-2022,[7]and through consultation with HNE staff and partners.
Responsibility for implementing this plan lies primarily with the Nurse Manager of the NMRC, and the Joint Clinical Chair in Nursing and Midwifery Research with sponsorship and support from the Executive Director Clinical Services, Nursing and Midwifery, HNELHD.
Governance to assist in achieving this strategic plan is provided through the HNE Nursing and Midwifery Research Strategic Leadership Committee and through the HNE Health Research Translation Advisory Committee (HRTAC).
References
Our strategic plan identifies five key strategic priorities that will continue to inform research supported by, and capacity building initiatives provided by the HNELHD Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre.
These are to:
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