This article describes how a working group examined ways to overcome difficulties with applying research findings to clinical practice. The group developed a ward-based distance learning package to assist in developing staff skills and ultimately enhance patient health care. The package has implications for all registered nurses in all nursing contexts

Recent research has shown that care planning, that is, using assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation, has changed little since its inception or since the recommendations of the 1986 Hayward report (Butterworth 1996, Redfern 1996; Robinson 1995,1996, Robinson and Reed 1996). Problems associated with using this model of intervention include poor evaluation of care and little influence of research on practice. Despite this, there are numerous benefits from such an approach which fall in with current legislative and professional requirements (Department of Health 1989, 1991,1993).