[Randomized clinical trials and systemic reviews in nursing literature: a comparison between German and international nursing research]

Abstract

Objectives: To ascertain whether there are randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews on nursing care, written in German language, which need to be identified for inclusion in systematic reviews of the effects of health care. Quantitative comparison of German-language and international nursing research.

Methods: Searches by Medline and CINAHL (1988-1997) and searches by hand of seven nursing journals, published in German language, to identify RCTs and systematic reviews.

Main measures: Total number of RCTs identified and number of RCTs published in German language journals.

Results: 15 RCTs related to nursing care have been identified. No RCTs have been found by hand search of nursing journals. There were no nurse researchers as first authors for RCTs.

Conclusions: German nurse researchers need to adapt high quality study designs to nursing interventions studies to achieve international research standard.