Introduction Hospices are encouraged to be research active and contribute to the evidence base. Participating in research studies requires engagement by staff to assist with recruitment and implementation. During participation in a research study requiring recruitment of inpatients on our hospice inpatient unit (IPU), we sought to understand the views of IPU staff members about research being conducted on the ward.

Methods An anonymous online survey hosted on Survey Monkey was sent to nurses and doctors working on the IPU. Responses were collected between April and July 2023. Questions focussed on their own experiences of contributing to research and their views about research taking place on a hospice IPU.

Results We received 24 responses (8 doctors, 16 nurses) with a range of years of experience working in a hospice. 12.5% (3 nurses, all with less than 5 years’ experience) had not yet contributed to research in their careers. 79% (19) had undertaken an audit including all 8 doctors. The majority (85.7%, 21 respondents) were supportive of research and most (75%, 18 respondents) felt it was extremely or very important that research is undertaken in hospice IPU settings. 18 (75%) respondents stated that patients and families were usually happy to be approached about participating in research. Barriers to engaging in research included lack of time, concerns about burdening patients and families, lack of staff confidence in undertaking research, paternalism, causing potential harm to patients if implementing an intervention, ‘lack of understanding about how research could actually benefit the patients and their care’ and resistance to change.

Conclusions Nurses and doctors working on our hospice IPU are supportive of research taking place on the ward but note a number of barriers to research engagement. Having a better understanding of these challenges will help the research team to support colleagues in future studies.