The Future of Nursing Research in Malawi

E. Chirwa

UNIMA - KCN

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline

Is nursing & Midwifery research needed?Are nurses &midwives conducting

research?What nursing &midwives research

opportunities are available?How can we enhance nursing &midwives

research in Malawi?

Is Nursing Research NeededIs Nursing Research Needed?

Nursing research is highly important for health care delivery and will always be needed.

We need to be sensitive to those who are primary beneficiaries of the knowledge we build from our research.

We need research that has evidence for practice.

Are Nurses Conducting Research?Are Nurses Conducting Research?

Minimal nurse initiated research. Mostly:

- Masters and PhD research

- Consultancies

- Project related (NGOs) Nursing research dissemination “culture” slowly

surfacing ( presentations at local and international conferences, local and international publications)

Research capacity minimal.

What nursing research opportunities are available?

Local postgraduate programs initiated – with research requirements

Master of Science in Midwifery ( 2008) Master of Degree in Reproductive Health (2009) Master of Science in Child Health Nursing (2010) Master of Science in Nursing and Midwifery Education

(2012) Master of Science in Community Health Nursing (2012) PhD program - in the pipe line

What nursing research opportunities are available?

Functioning research support office ( few institutions)

International partners – interested in collaborative research with nurses

Many un researched areas – mental health, geriatrics, health promotion, environmental risks

How can we enhance nursing research in Malawi?

Capacity building for research – workshops on proposal writing, methods, publication

Create financial support for research

Local and international collaboration –university and non university institutions

Create international research centers

How can we enhance nursing research in Malawi?

Build research programs rather than projects – stay on the topic bit by bit until knowledge that can inform practice is developed.

Conduct multi disciplinary research – holistic approach to research

Increase dissemination of findings

How can we enhance nursing research in Malawi?

Transfer research findings to policy and practice:

- Create quality improvement units

- Test interventions and integrate into practice

Mentor future nurse scientists!!!