To what extent do nurses use research in clinical practice? A systematic review.

Background: In the past forty years, many gains have been made in our understanding of the concept of research utilization. While numerous studies exist on professional nurses' use of research in practice, no attempt has been made to systematically evaluate and synthesize this body of literature with respect to the extent to which nurses use research in their clinical practice. The objective of this study was to systematically identify and analyze the available evidence related to the extent to which nurses use research findings in practice.

Moving research knowledge into dental hygiene practice.

Dental hygiene, as an emerging profession, needs to increase the number of intervention studies that identify improvements in oral health outcomes for clients. Historically, dental hygiene studies have typically been atheoretical, but the use of theoretical frameworks to guide these studies will increase their meaningfulness. Rogers' theory of diffusion of innovations has been used to study research utilization across many disciplines, and may offer insights to the study of research use in dental hygiene.

A collaborative approach for improving information literacy skills of dental hygiene students.

Background: Evidence-based practitioners need to develop proficiency in locating and evaluating necessary information from a variety of sources, a concept known as information literacy. One potential source of information is the World Wide Web; however, the wide range in the quality of information available through the Internet indicates a need for strong critical appraisal skills.

Objectives: To facilitate development of these skills in dental hygiene students, dental hygiene faculty collaborated with a librarian to implement a project to improve information literacy skills and integrate the use of the Internet into dental hygiene course work.

Evidence-based practice and the professionalization of dental hygiene.

The application of knowledge is fundamental to human problem solving. In health disciplines, knowledge utilization commonly manifests through evidence-based decision making in practice. The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of the evidence-based practice (EBP) movement in health professions in general, and dental hygiene in particular, and to examine its relationship to the professionalization agenda of dental hygiene in Canada.