The relationship of clinical practice and research

Abstract

This paper demonstrates, through a specific case study, the relationship of nursing practice and research. The author discusses how a clinical problem stimulated research and how the research findings, then, were utilized in practice. Client attrition in an obesity programme for high-risk clients was defined as the clinical problem. The researcher worked with the staff to further delineate the problem for research. The research findings concluded that body image was a more important motivating factor for entering treatment than were physiological health concerns. The author/researcher and clinicians then utilized the findings in the programme, altering their approach to clients to include the client's goal for treatment; improved body image. The attrition rate in the clinic improved. The roles of the practitioner and those of the researcher in this relationship are discussed as well as specific factors which facilitated this important relationship.