Does the engagement of clinicians and organisations in research improve healthcare performance: a three-stage review

Abstract

ObjectiveThere is a widely held assumption that engagement by clinicians and healthcare organisations in research improves healthcare performance at various levels, but little direct empirical evidence has previously been collated. The objective of this study was to address the question: Does research engagement (by clinicians and organisations) improve healthcare performance?MethodsAn hourglass-shaped review was developed, consisting of three stages: (1) a planning and mapping stage; (2) a focused review concentrating on the core question of whether or not research engagement improves healthcare performance; and (3) a wider (but less systematic) review of papers identified during the two earlier stages, focusing on mechanisms.ResultsOf the 33 papers included in the focused review, 28 identified improvements in health services performance. Seven out of these papers reported some improvement in health outcomes, with others reporting improved processes of care. The wider review demonstrated that mechanisms such as collaborative and action research can encourage some progress along the pathway from research engagement towards improved healthcare performance. Organisations that have deliberately integrated the research function into organisational structures demonstrate how research engagement can, among other factors, contribute to improved healthcare performance.ConclusionsCurrent evidence suggests that there is an association between the engagement of individuals and healthcare organisations in research and improvements in healthcare performance. The mechanisms through which research engagement might improve healthcare performance overlap and rarely act in isolation, and their effectiveness often depends on the context in which they operate.

Building capacity to use and undertake research in health organisations: a survey of training needs and priorities among staff

“…Staff in healthcare and public health organisations have a key role to play in improving patient care and population health through the implementation and coproduction of applied health research (AHR) 2. Emerging evidence suggests there is an association between the engagement of healthcare organisations in research and improvements in their overall performance 3. However, such organisations frequently fail to use research evidence to inform practice 4…”

The NIHR at 10: transforming clinical research

“…This has significantly improved patient access to research; all NHS trusts in England now support opportunities for patients to participate in clinical research, with 42% of general practices research-active. Evidence is emerging 9 of the wider beneficial impact on clinical services of research-active NHS organisations. Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care work at the interface between research and practice.…”

Weaving a clinical academic career: Illuminating the method and pattern to follow

“…Second, a belief in the evidence, which research leads to improved service user outcomes and experiences (Boaz et al, 2015;Harding et al, 2016). Development at this, and all stages can be facilitated by working within research active organisations and receiving encouragement from others (Pain et al, 2015;Pighills et al, 2013).…”