Linking the professional literature to nursing practice: challenges and opportunities.

Occupational health nurses face the challenge of rapidly changing, increasingly complex work environments. To respond, they must have access to information and know how to manage it effectively to improve their clinical performance and achieve better client outcomes. Information technology has already had an impact on nursing. Many nurses routinely use computers to access laboratory reports, client records, and administrative programs. However few nurses make use of opportunities provided by information technology to access professional literature as a tool for applying new research to their practice.

Literature search and retrieval in the workplace.

Nurses do not adequately access and use information to enhance knowledge-based practice. A computerized literature search and retrieval system was installed on a selected hospital unit to evaluate its utility in a work setting. Thirty-three nurses were taught how to use six CD-ROM bibliographic and full-text databases, electronically request articles from the librarian, and to critique the literature. The training program was evaluated by questionnaire and subsequent use of the system. Qualitative data regarding the perceived impact were collected using focus groups. The Michigan Organizational Assessment Questionnaire was administered before and after the intervention. Following training, nurses used the system to successfully answer questions related to patient care, general health issues, and education courses.