Research, audit and networking activity in nursing development units

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Abstract
This paper compares the progress made by NDUs, in comparison with matched units without NDU status, on research, audit and networking activities. We focus on two activities: (a) for research: involvement by staff in research, resources acquired and dissemination activity through publication and conference presentation and (b) for audit and networking: information on completed and current audits, and details of visits made by staff to and from other organisations. The data are drawn from questionnaires and interviews to the clinical leaders and staff and reports prepared by NDU-comparator pairs. Research and dissemination activity, though not high, are significantly greater (p<0.01) in NDUs than comparators. NDUs have a more widespread research culture as measured by involvement in research by all grades of staff. Research in NDUs focuses on local attempts to improve practice and has some way to go before it can be generalised into healthcare settings beyond the unit where it was carried out. There is no difference in number of audits undertaken by NDUs and comparators but NDUs carried out more audits to evaluate nursing work and comparators did proportionately more on practice topics and user issues. There is no association between research and audit activity; more audit does not result in less research. Networking activity by staff is significantly greater (p<0.01) for NDUs, suggesting they are seen as a resource to other centres. NDUs are active in research and networking — significantly more so than comparators. We suggest that audit can act as a conduit for implementing research findings and monitoring evidence-based practice.