Research capacity and culture of the Victorian public health allied health workforce is influenced by key research support staff and location

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cylie Williams ◽  
Koki Miyazaki ◽  
Donna Borkowski ◽  
Carol McKinstry ◽  
Matthew Cotchet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
The Self ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Research Skills ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
Research Activities

Objective The aim of the present study was to identify and understand the self-rated research capacity and culture of the allied health workforce. Methods The present study was a cross-sectional survey. The Research Capacity and Culture tool was disseminated to all Victorian public health allied health departments. General demographic data were also collected, including the presence of an organisational allied health research lead. Results Five hundred and twenty fully completed surveys were returned by participants; all allied health disciplines and all grades were represented. One hundred and eighty-six participants had an organisational allied health research lead and 432 were located in a metropolitan-based health service. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) within all organisational and team research skills between those with and without a research lead, together with those in different service locations (metropolitan vs non-metropolitan). Higher self-ratings in individual research skills (P < 0.05) were primarily associated with more senior and metropolitan-located clinicians. Conclusion The allied health workforce identifies as a group that is ready to build the evidence to support clinical practice yet requires a whole-systems approach to do so. The results of the present study suggest that the development of key people to build capacity at a higher organisational level has a flow-down effect on research capacity and culture. What is known about the topic? Some allied health disciplines (occupational therapy, dietetics and podiatry) have previously been surveyed about their research capabilities, capacity and culture. Those surveys identified individual skill and success in undertaking early phase research activities, such as finding and critiquing the literature. However, there were limitations to research activity identified, such as a lack of success or skill in the later phase of research projects to undertake analysis of data, writing for publication and mentoring less experienced clinicians in research. What does this paper add? The present study explored the effect of extrinsic factors on undertaking research activity within the allied health workforce. It determined that there are several factors that affect the organisation and team levels of research capacity and culture, but these factors were different to the self-reported individual success or skills. The results can assist organisations to make strategic decisions about how to engage allied health clinicians in research activities. What are the implications for practitioners? The results of the present study give a platform for the Victorian allied health workforce to grow in its engagement in research activities and use of evidence. This knowledge is important to decision makers and funding bodies, as well as to the Australian allied health workforce.

scholarly journals Developing clinical academic researchers: insights from practitioners and managers in nursing, midwifery and allied health

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 282-292
Author(s):  
Hazel Roddam ◽  
Lucy Cross ◽  
Rachel Georgiou ◽  
Josephine Gibson ◽  
Stephanie Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Research ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Career Pathways ◽  
Allied Health Professions ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Strategic Support

Background/Aims Developing a clinical academic role in nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions is challenging because of the lack of a national career pathway, recognition and understanding of the role. This evaluation aimed to explore perspectives of aspiring, or active clinical academics, and healthcare managers in nursing, midwifery and the allied health professions about the benefits, barriers and enablers of engagement in these career pathways. Methods In total, eight workshops were facilitated across England (four each for managers and prospective clinical academics), where 162 participants shared their experiences and perceptions of clinical academic research activities. Results Three major themes were identified that related to the perceived benefits, barriers and enablers of engagement in these career pathways: building health research capacity, building individuals' health research capability, and improving patient care. Conclusion This article demonstrates factors that are valued and perceived to be working well by practitioners and their clinical service managers, and highlights key priorities for further strategic support.

scholarly journals Coordinating the research response to COVID-19: Mali’s approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seydou Doumbia ◽  
Ydrissa Sow ◽  
Mahamadou Diakite ◽  
Chuen-Yen Lau
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Clinical Research ◽  
Advisory Committee ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Open Communication ◽  
Ministry Of Health ◽  
Scientific Advisory Committee ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Scientific Advisory

Abstract Mali, like the rest of the world, has seen a rapid spread of COVID-19 since the first report of imported cases. Despite being a low-income country, Mali has leveraged scientific research resources via coordinated approaches to enable public health emergency planning and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Mali’s approach includes the harmonization of research activities; leveraging of research laboratory capacity of the University Clinical Research Center, Mali International Center for Excellence and three other in-country laboratories for community COVID-19 testing; strengthening relationships amongst local and international stakeholders; and collaboration with the Ministry of Health to integrate scientific evidence into public policy and emergency management of COVID-19 through a platform of consultation and open communication. The country has implemented national coordination of its COVID-19 response by establishing a COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Committee and a COVID-19 Technical Coordination Committee, both within the Ministry of Health and working collaboratively with other stakeholders. Members of Mali’s COVID-19 Scientific Advisory Committee also serve as leaders of its principal academic and government clinical and public health research entities. This centralised approach has enabled the prioritisation of COVID-19 control activities, informed allocation of resources, evidence-based public health practices and timely decision-making in the pandemic setting. Though challenges remain, lessons learned from Mali’s harnessing of clinical research capacity to guide and support its COVID-19 response can be applied to future global health research challenges and illustrate the power of building public health-responsive research capacity in resource-limited settings through international collaboration.

An approach to building research capacity for health practitioners in a public health environment: an organisational perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie Hulcombe ◽  
Jennifer Sturgess ◽  
Tina Souvlis ◽  
Cate Fitzgerald
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Capacity Building ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Cultural Perspectives ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Public Sector Health

A unique opportunity to engage in research capacity-building strategies for health practitioners arose within public sector health services during the negotiations for an industrial agreement. A research capacity-building initiative for health practitioners that is allied health, oral health and scientist practitioners was funded and the components of this initiative are described. The initiative was implemented using a research capacity-building framework developed from a review of the literature and stakeholder consultations. The framework included leadership and governance, support to researchers and translation of evidence into practice and was contextualised to public health environments. There were several phases of implementation. An evaluation of the preliminary phase of establishing research positions and research activity was conducted and several successes of the capacity-building strategies were identified. These successes (e.g. solid partnerships with universities) are discussed, as are future concerns, such as sustainability of the initiative in a tighter fiscal context. What is known about the topic? The literature identifies strategies to increase research capacity, including grant funds and bursaries, training in research methods, regular forums and networks for support, positions for research fellows and linkages and partnerships. There is minimal clarity or discourse around the organisational strategies or proposed evaluation of such strategies to enable or support research capacity building. What does this paper add? This paper describes implementation of a research capacity-building framework developed from a unique opportunity to provide funding for research positions and grants embedded in an industrial agreement. It describes the organisational and cultural perspectives and framework to build a research culture based on this funding, in a predominantly clinical workforce. What are the implications for practitioners? Research positions for allied health, oral health and scientist practitioners funded and supported jointly by a health organisation and a university are able to influence the number and quality of research proposals developed. These disciplines in other jurisdictions may use this model of research capacity building within their particular context.

scholarly journals A systems approach to the exploration of research activity and relationships within a local authority

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Judith F. Fynn ◽  
John Jones ◽  
Andy Jones
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Local Authority ◽  
Knowledge Exchange ◽  
County Council ◽  
System Level ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Research Activities

Abstract Background Organizations with responsibilities for public health are increasingly required to use evidence-based practice to inform programme delivery, requiring research to generate relevant evidence, and dissemination and use of evidence to inform decisions and practices. Understanding how relationships between organizational structures, systems and processes influence evidence-based practices is critical to improving practice at both an institutional and system level, yet how these relationships should best operate is not well understood. Understanding how to better support research within local authorities, the elected administrative bodies responsible for services including public health at a regional level in the United Kingdom, is a priority for the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Public Health Research. This study is based on Norfolk County Council, a local authority in the east of England. We aimed to apply a systems perspective to develop a better understanding of the structures, systems and processes that support a local authority in becoming research-active, identifying gaps in understanding and recommendations for action to address them. Methods Taking a participatory action research approach, we applied qualitative methods to explore research activity and relationships in Norfolk County Council. We surveyed employees and used network analysis to map individuals, departments and external partners involved in research activities and the connections between them. We then applied participatory approaches to conduct a series of focus groups and semi-structured interviews to explore stakeholders’ experiences and perceptions of being involved in research at, or with, the authority, and their ideas for recommendations for future actions. Results A range of research activity is undertaken at the local authority, with an emphasis on applied work to improve service delivery. We identified several examples of effective practice and models of research collaboration in some departments. Challenges such as limitations in resources, capacity and knowledge exchange were evident, yet there was a readiness amongst key stakeholders to develop and implement actions that may better support the authority in becoming more research-active. Conclusion In large complex organizations, a key challenge is how to share learning across teams and implement good practice at an organizational and system level. Our findings highlight the potential for developing improved collaborative partnership models and systems to support sustainable processes and practices for research and knowledge exchange at an institutional and interorganizational level. The insights gained and shared will support other local authorities and similar large, multilevel organizations with responsibilities for evidence-based public health to explore their own setting and implement change where needed, and provide stimulus for further research into system-level change.

scholarly journals Outcomes of a funding initiative to promote allied health research activity: a qualitative realist evaluation

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Hilder ◽  
Sharon Mickan ◽  
Christy Noble ◽  
Kelly A. Weir ◽  
Rachel Wenke
Keyword(s):  
Health Research ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Realist Evaluation ◽  
Research Activity

scholarly journals Not enough time for research? Use of supported funding to promote allied health research activity

2018 ◽  
Vol Volume 11 ◽  
pp. 269-277 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Wenke ◽  
Kelly Weir ◽  
Christy Noble ◽  
Jill Mahoney ◽  
Sharon Mickan
Keyword(s):  
Health Research ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Research Use ◽  
Research Activity

Research culture in a regional allied health setting

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 300 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Borkowski ◽  
Carol McKinstry ◽  
Matthew Cotchett
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Culture ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Regional Area ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
Conducting Research

Research evidence is required to guide best practice, inform policy and improve the health of communities. Current indicators consider allied health research culture to be low. This study aimed to measure the allied health research culture and capacity in a Victorian regional health service. The Research Capacity and Culture tool was used to evaluate research capacity and culture across individual, team and organisation domains. One-way ANOVA was used to determine differences between allied health professions, whereas responses to open-ended questions were themed using open coding. One hundred thirty-six allied health professionals completed the survey. There were statistically significant differences in the organisation domain between social work, physiotherapy and occupational therapy professions; in the team domain, between social work and all other professions. Motivators for conducting research included providing a high-quality service, developing skills and increasing job satisfaction. Barriers included other work roles taking priority, a lack of time and limited research skills. Multi-layered strategies including establishing conjoint research positions are recommended to increase allied health research culture in this regional area.

scholarly journals Methodology and criteria for setting national health research priorities in Bhutan: a workshop report

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43
Author(s):  
Debbie L. Humphries ◽  
Hannah Ingber ◽  
Mongal Singh Gurung ◽  
Kaveh Khoshnood
Keyword(s):  
National Health ◽  
Priority Setting ◽  
Health Research ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Priority Setting Process ◽  
Research Priority ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Setting Process ◽  
Medical University

The Bhutanese health system is committed to providing health services for all citizens and is interested in strengthening the country’s health research capacity. The objectives of this workshop were to understand the range of health research activities in Bhutan; to formulate a prioritized research agenda for the Ministry of Health (MoH); to share challenges, gaps and opportunities in health research; and to provide insights for future prioritization exercises. The MoH partnered with Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical University of Bhutan and USA-based facilitators to develop and pilot a methodology for health research priority setting.  The Bhutan priority setting process was adapted from the Combined Approach Matrix and the Essential National Health Research methods.  The methodology proved successful in the systematic creation of a list of health research priorities. Future priority setting processes will build on this workshop, continuing to refine and strengthen the priority setting process in Bhutan. 

Survey of the research capacity of clinical psychologists in Ireland

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 182-192
Author(s):  
Patrick McHugh ◽  
Mark Corcoran ◽  
Michael Byrne
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Clinical Psychologists ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Work Time ◽  
Research Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Republic Of Ireland ◽  
The Republic

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to profile the research activity, research skills and enablers of research of clinical psychologists in the Republic of Ireland. Design/methodology/approach – All clinical psychologists working in the Health Service Executive (HSE) or HSE-funded organisations were requested to complete an online survey examining their research capacity. A total of 170 clinical psychologists completed the survey, with an estimated response rate of 20-25 per cent. Findings – Within the preceding two years, 60 per cent (n=102) of the clinical psychologists sampled had engaged in research. These research active participants were involved with a median of three projects and the majority spent 10 per cent or less of their work time engaged in research. The weakest research skills of research active and research inactive participants were applying for research funding and publishing research. Research active participants indicated a reliance on their own personal motivation to maintain their research activity and indicated a need for more protected time for research. Practical implications – Managers within the health service need to be incentivised to allocate protected work time for research that directly contributes to service provision. Greater collaboration with academic institutions is needed with regard to targeting the research skills development of clinical psychologists, as well as identifying opportunities for collaborative research. Originality/value – This is the first survey to profile the research activity and skills of clinical psychologists in the Republic of Ireland and provides an evidence base for future research capacity development.

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