Surveying Allied Health Professionals Within a Public Health Service: What Works Best, Paper or Online?

2019 ◽  
pp. 016327871987056
Author(s):  
Joanna C. Kidd ◽  
Sue Colley ◽  
Sarah Dennis
Keyword(s):  
Selection Bias ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Poor Response ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Paper Form ◽  
Paper Survey

Poor response rate, self-selection bias, and item noncompletion negatively impact the generalization of results from surveys. This study examined differences in these factors between a paper and online survey among allied health clinicians. Clinicians within a large local health district were initially invited to complete the Research Capacity in Context Tool online via an e-mail link. Following a lower-than-expected response rate, potential selection bias, and item noncompletion, the survey was readministered in paper form to the same cohort of clinicians 6–12 months later. The response rate to the paper survey was higher than to the online survey (27.6% vs. 16.5%). Selection biases were evident, characterized by seniority and discipline: Junior clinicians responded at rates significantly less than expected to the online survey but as expected to the paper survey. Occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and podiatrists responded more highly to the online survey, while other disciplines responded more highly to the paper survey. The rate of item noncompletion was higher for online than paper survey (6.72% vs. 3.8% questions not completed, respectively), with patterns of noncompletion also differing. These data suggest paper surveys are likely to produce less biased and more generalizable data from allied health clinicians.

scholarly journals Building Allied Health Research Capacity at a Regional Australian Hospital: A Follow-up Study.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tilley Pain ◽  
Michelle Petersen ◽  
Malindu Fernando
Keyword(s):  
Capacity Building ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Experience ◽  
Research Support ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Research Profile

Purpose This study determined if research experience increased among allied health professionals (AHPs) at a regional tertiary hospital following a research capacity building initiative. Methods A cross sectional electronic survey was used to collect data from allied health professionals on their research experience, research support needs, enablers and barriers to research and their perceptions regarding benefits of research. A baseline survey was conducted in 2011 which was compared to a follow up survey in 2015. Comparison of variables between the two surveys used Chi squared tests. Results The response rate for the 2011 survey was 43% (n=248) while the 2015 survey achieved a 37% response rate (n=234). There was a significant increase in allied health professionals research experience as well as need for research support between the 2011 and 2015 surveys in many (but not all) activities on the research continuum. Time availability was the greatest barrier and the perceived benefit of research was to improve clinical care. Conclusions This study demonstrates a significant increase in allied health professionals research experience over the four years of capacity building. However, the increase has not reached the level where it is recorded by traditional research outcome measures such as publication. The greatest barrier to allied health professionals conducting research is time. Therefore, investment in clinician-researcher career pathways may increase research capacity of allied health practitioners to increase publication output. The implication of this research is that allied professionals’ research profile is unlikely to increase without significant input of time or resources to allow them to conduct research.

scholarly journals A mixed-methods study of challenges and benefits of clinical academic careers for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. e030595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane Trusson ◽  
Emma Rowley ◽  
Louise Bramley
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Academic Career ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Clinical Role ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Academic Study

ObjectivesThe clinical academic trajectory for doctors and dentists is well-established, with research embedded in their career development. Recent years have also seen a burgeoning interest and push for nurses, midwives and allied health professionals (NMAHPs) to pursue a clinical academic career. However, the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) 10-year review suggested that there may be problems with progression post Master’s degree level for this group, with nurses and midwives receiving less NIHR funding than allied health professionals. This study responds to these concerns, tracking the progression and exploring experiences of NMAHPs in the East Midlands region of England.DesignAn online survey and in-depth interviews were used to capture a wide range of experiences.Participants67 NMAHPs who were pursuing a clinical academic career were surveyed, supplemented by 16 semi-structured in-depth interviews.ResultsThree themes emerged during data analysis: Embarking on a clinical academic career, overcoming barriers and benefits.ConclusionsNMAHPs are motivated to pursue a clinical academic career by a drive to improve services for the benefit of patients and the National Health Service more widely, as well as for personal development and career progression. People working in these roles have opportunities to explore possible solutions to issues that they encounter in their clinical role through academic study. Findings reveal benefits emanating from the individual level through to (inter)national levels, therefore academic study should be encouraged and supported. However, investment is needed to establish more clinical academic roles to enable NMAHPs to continue to use their experience and expertise post-PhD, otherwise the full extent of their value will not be recognised.

scholarly journals Strategies for research engagement of clinicians in allied health (STRETCH): a mixed methods research protocol

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. e014876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon Mickan ◽  
Rachel Wenke ◽  
Kelly Weir ◽  
Andrea Bialocerkowski ◽  
Christy Noble
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Mixed Methods Research ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Knowledge Brokering ◽  
Programme Theory ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Research Engagement

IntroductionAllied health professionals (AHPs) report positive attitudes to using research evidence in clinical practice, yet often lack time, confidence and skills to use, participate in and conduct research. A range of multifaceted strategies including education, mentoring and guidance have been implemented to increase AHPs’ use of and participation in research. Emerging evidence suggests that knowledge brokering activities have the potential to support research engagement, but it is not clear which knowledge brokering strategies are most effective and in what contexts they work best to support and maintain clinicians’ research engagement.Methods and analysisThis protocol describes an exploratory concurrent mixed methods study that is designed to understand how allied health research fellows use knowledge brokering strategies within tailored evidence-based interventions, to facilitate research engagement by allied health clinicians. Simultaneously, a realist approach will guide a systematic process evaluation of the research fellows’ pattern of use of knowledge brokering strategies within each case study to build a programme theory explaining which knowledge brokering strategies work best, in what contexts and why. Learning and behavioural theories will inform this critical explanation.Ethics and disseminationAn explanation of how locally tailored evidence-based interventions improve AHPs use of, participation in and leadership of research projects will be summarised and shared with all participating clinicians and within each case study. It is expected that local recommendations will be developed and shared with medical and nursing professionals in and beyond the health service, to facilitate building research capacity in a systematic and effective way.

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 The Changing Nature of Palliative Care: Implications for Allied Health Professionals’ Educational and Training Needs

Healthcare ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deidre D. Morgan ◽  
Deb Rawlings ◽  
Carly J. Moores ◽  
Lizzie Button ◽  
Jennifer J. Tieman
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Further Education ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Education Access

CareSearch is an Australian Government Department of Health funded repository of evidence-based palliative care information and resources. The CareSearch Allied Health Hub was developed in 2013 to support all allied health professionals working with palliative care clients in all clinical settings. This cross-sectional online survey sought to elicit allied health professionals palliative care experiences and subsequent considerations for educational and clinical practice needs. The survey was disseminated nationally via a range of organisations. Data was collected about palliative care knowledge, experience working with palliative care clients and professional development needs. Data were evaluated by profession, experience and practice setting. In total, 217 respondents answered one or more survey questions (94%). Respondents (65%) reported seeing >15 palliative care clients per month with 84% seen in hospital and community settings. Undergraduate education underprepared or partially prepared allied health professionals to work with these clients (96%) and 67% identified the need for further education. Access to postgraduate professional development was limited by available backfill and funding. Study findings support the importance of free, accessible, relevant educational and professional development resources to support clinical practice. This is particularly relevant for allied health professionals who have limited opportunities to attend formal professional development sessions.

Collaborative Teams: Teachers, Parents, and Allied Health Professionals Supporting Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder in Mainstream Australian Schools

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-115
Author(s):  
Samantha Vlcek ◽  
Michelle Somerton ◽  
Christopher Rayner
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Spectrum Disorder ◽  
Collaborative Partnerships ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Students With Autism

AbstractThe unique traits and behaviours of students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often present a range of barriers to their educational experiences and development. The present study investigated collaborative partnerships between 3 stakeholders that often support students with ASD: teachers, parents, and allied health professionals (AHPs). With current literature on collaboration between teachers, parents, and AHPs involved in the education of students with ASD predominantly relating to specific skill or knowledge acquisition, there was an insufficient understanding of ‘collaborative processes’ and the factors that benefit or limit effective practice. In the present study, the researchers explored the experiences, processes, and opinions of parents, teachers, and AHPs supporting students with ASD in mainstream Australian primary schools. A total of 129 responses were recorded (41 teachers, 44 parents, and 44 AHPs) through an online survey, and thematic data analysis was used to qualitatively interpret the open-ended questions. The findings highlight the current opportunities and challenges faced by key stakeholders in this important process.

scholarly journals Frontline Allied Health Professionals in a Tertiary Children’s Hospital: Moving Forward Research Capacity, Culture and Engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-49
Author(s):  
Hortensia Gimeno ◽  
Lucy Alderson ◽  
Gillian Waite ◽  
Deepti Chugh ◽  
Graeme O'Connor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Professionals ◽  
Allied Health ◽  
Clinical Work ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Research Activity ◽  
Allied Health Professionals ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Children’S Hospital ◽  
Culture Development

Higher levels of research activity within healthcare contexts are known to result in improvements to staff and patient satisfaction as well as treatment outcomes. In the United Kingdom (UK), clinical academic careers for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are a key priority development area. This article presents the results of a study that aimed to scope the research capacity of four AHP professions in a tertiary children’s hospital using the Research Capacity and Culture Tool. This tool captures individuals’ views of success or skill required for a number of research-related items within the three domains of individual, team and organisation. Response rate ranged between 45-71% across the four groups. Reported barriers to carrying out research included a lack of time, clinical work taking priority, and lack of suitable backfill (i.e., employing a therapist to cover the clinical post for the AHP to complete research activity). Motivators, on the other hand, included skill development, career advancement, and increased job satisfaction. As a first step to strengthen research skills, a systematic process was used to devise a suite of supportive strategies targeting the individuals’ perceived gaps in their research abilities across four pillars: (i) awareness, (ii) accessibility, (iii) opportunity and capacity, and (iv) knowledge and skills. This process drew on previously published accounts of successful research capacity and culture development, as well as the unique needs of staff at this tertiary children’s hospital. The outcome of this process was a structured framework to support research capacity, culture and engagement. The specific details of this framework are reported in this article together with further recommendations to promote research capacity, culture and engagement amongst AHPs.

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