Conducting Nursing Research in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights and Lessons Learned

Abstract

Background: Nursing plays a critical role in patient care, and nurses generate numerous research ideas that can enhance disease  management. The COVID-19 pandemic has created a universal experience that necessitates the exploration of the lessons learned  regarding nursing research input during the pandemic.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the barriers and challenges of conducting  nursing research during the pandemic in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: We conducted a questionnaire-based study. The first part of the  questionnaire collecteddemographic data, background education, and work experience. The second part consisted of 17 questions  related to research and handling COVID-19 patients.

Results: The study included 413 nurses in Saudi Arabia, of whom 303 (73.4%) were  females, and 198 (47.9%) were nonSaudi. Of the respondents, 260 (63.0%) held a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Findings  indicated that 95 (23.0%) respondents felt non-supportive administration hindered research implementation, 118 (28.6%) lacked  confidence in conducting research independently or as a group, and 121 (29.3%) were hesitant to integrate new concepts and lacked research expertise to share their ideas. Moreover, 119 (28.8%) found nursing research methodology perplexing and frustrating, and 115  (27.8%) believed that nursing research should be replicated to increase its generalizability.

Conclusion: The study suggests that nurses  require better training and support to conduct research during infectious disease outbreaks. Further research is needed to determine the  impact of having more nurses with research expertise.