Publication of patient-related oncology nursing research

Abstract

Purpose/objectives: To identify publication rates of patient-related studies in oncology nursing research.

Design: Survey of publication rates of patient-related research. These results are one component of an integrative review and meta-analysis of a decade of patient-related oncology nursing research.

Sample: Authors of abstracts addressing patient-related oncology nursing research submitted for presentation at Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Congresses from 1981 to 1990 (N = 237) that met the inclusion criteria for the Integrative Review of Oncology Nursing Research.

Methods: Survey letters sent to one author of each patient-related oncology nursing research abstract published in the ONS Congress proceedings.

Main outcome variable: Rate of publication.

Findings: Of 237 responses, 89 (38%) indicated that the study had been published by late 1991 in a peer-reviewed journal or as a book chapter; 148 abstracts (62%) were unpublished. Study abstracts accepted for podium or poster presentation at ONS Congresses were more likely to be published than those not accepted.

Conclusions: The majority of patient-related oncology nursing research submitted for presentation at ONS Congresses was not published and not readily available for nurses to evaluate for use in clinical practice. Lack of nursing research publication appears to be a serious threat to knowledge development and dissemination in oncology nursing.

Implications for nursing practice: Systematic ways to organize research findings in nursing need to be developed. Experienced researchers and authors need to encourage and assist nurses in conducting research, writing, and submitting manuscripts.