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

Attitudes toward research and scholarly activities among medical laboratory science professionals in the United States

BACKGROUND

Medical laboratory science (MLS) professionals play a crucial role in health care teams. However, research culture in the profession has not been well developed or studied. It is necessary to characterize attitudes toward research and scholarly activities among MLS professionals and identify ways to promote research in the profession.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was administered through American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science channels. Survey responses were summarized using descriptive statistics, and linear regression models were constructed to identify characteristics that predicted 2 research attitudes: "valuing the role of research" and "perceived research environment" in the profession.

RESULTS

Of the 116 MLS professionals in this study, 53% reported currently participating in research activities. Opinions toward research were generally positive, although many respondents were not currently conducting research. Individuals with education and research practice focuses tended to place greater value on research, and education level was a significant predictor of perceived research environment. Dedicated research time and mentorship were cited as effective ways for employers to promote research in MLS.

CONCLUSION

Overall, respondents had favorable attitudes toward research in MLS, but approximately half of participants noted a lack of incentives to conduct research. This study highlights several initiatives that may be effective for promoting increased research activity among MLS professionals.

Strategies for the Promotion of Primary Health Care Research in Portugal: A Qualitative Study

INTRODUCTION

There are several barriers discouraging clinicians from undertaking research, including insufficient funding, lack of time, organizational issues and lack of support. The strengthening of research capacity is perceived from three levels: characteristics of the researcher, the environment, and organizational issues. To date, Portugal is lacking studies on this subject. The aim of this study was to identify the best practices to promote research in Portuguese Primary Health Care.

METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with family doctors with broadly recognized research work and other stakeholders. We selected a sample by convenience and snowball sampling. From a total of 14 doctors invited by email, 12 responded positively, and we subsequently included two other stakeholders. We conducted the interviews in digital or face-to-face formats. Two team members handled the coding of interviews independently. We kept all recordings and transcripts confidential, only accessible to researchers.

RESULTS

We identified 16 strategies: 1) increasing institutional support; 2) creating support structures; 3) redefining the residency program; 4) investing in research training; 5) redefining curriculum evaluation; 6) establishing dedicated time for research; 7) increasing funding; 8) improving access to research data; 9) being a research driver; 10) establishing a research culture; 11) working in collaboration; 12) creating formally organized research groups; 13) creating autonomous research centers; 14) improving the definition of the research subjects and study designs; 15) reviewing procedures for ethics' committees; and 16) reviewing the current selection of articles for publication.

CONCLUSION

Overall, a greater proportion of interviewees identified the following as the most relevant strategies for research promotion: institutional support, including technical and scientific support from public institutions, private entities and academic centers; the reorganization of working hours with protected time for research; increased funding directed towards research and breaking isolation in research, promoting teamwork with clinicians within the same area or from different professional backgrounds.

Exploring research capacity and culture of allied health professionals: a mixed methods evaluation

Background

Despite the myriad benefits of research to patients, professionals, and organisations, fewer than 0.1% of the Allied Health Professions workforce are employed in clinical academic roles. Identified barriers include a lack of role modelling, management support, funding, and availability of clinical academic roles. Research capacity building is critical to improving Allied Health Professional research capability. The aim of this evaluation was to explore the current research capacity and culture of Allied Health Professionals to inform future tailored research capacity building strategies at a local level.

Methods

A mixed methods evaluation of research capacity and culture was conducted within the Allied Health Professions department of a large National Health Service Foundation Trust using an online research capacity and culture questionnaire, followed by focus groups. Staff were recruited using a purposive method with the questionnaire and subsequent focus groups completed between July and September 2020. Data from the questionnaire was analysed using simple descriptive statistics and after inductive coding, focus group data was analysed thematically.

Results

93 out of 278 staff completed the questionnaire and 60 staff members attended seven focus groups. The research capacity and culture survey reported the department’s key strength as promoting clinical practice based on evidence (median=8, range=6-9). A key reported weakness of the department was insufficient resources to support staff research training (med=4, 3-6). Respondents considered themselves most skilled in finding relevant literature (med=6, 5-8) and least skilled at securing research funding (med=1, 1-2). Greater than half of the respondents (n=50) reported not currently being involved with research. Five themes were identified from the focus groups: empowerment; building research infrastructure; fostering research skills; access for all; and positive research culture.

Conclusions

Allied Health Professionals recognise the benefits of research at teams and departmental level, but marginally at an individual level. Local research capacity building strategies should aim to address the role, responsibilities and barriers to Allied Health Profession research development at an individual level. To ensure all staff can engage, research infrastructure and empowerment are essential.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-022-07480-x.