Evaluation of Research Capacity and Culture of Health Professionals Working with Women, Children and Families at an Australian Public Hospital: A Cross Sectional Observational Study

Abstract

Background: There is limited evidence for use of the Research Capacity and Culture tool across multidisciplinary health professionals. We explored using the Research Capacity and Culture tool among multidisciplinary health professionals at an Australian secondary hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study where online and paper-based surveys of the Research Capacity and Culture tool were disseminated between November 2020 and January 2021. Descriptive analyses of demographic variables and Likert scale items were summarized using median and inter-quartile ranges. Differences between organization, team and individual domains were checked using a Friedman test. Post-hoc Wilcoxon signed rank tests determined specific differences between domains. Results: Seventy-six multidisciplinary health professionals (female, 89.3%) reported overall perceptions of research success/skills highest in the organization (median 6), followed by the team (median 5) and individual domains (median 3.5). Only 21.3% agreed that research activities were a part of their role description. Mean scores across professions were highest for Medicine (5.47), Midwifery (4.52), Nursing (4.47) and Allied Health (3.56), respectively, for the team domain. Individual domain scores across all professions were below 50%. Commonly reported barriers to research were "lack of time for research," "other work roles taking priority" and "a lack of skill." "Developing skills" was the most common personal motivator. Conclusion: Multidisciplinary health professionals reported the highest overall perception of research success/skills in the organization domain. Medical health professionals perceived research success/skills highest compared to nursing, midwifery and allied health professionals.

Allied health professionals’ perceptions of research in the United Kingdom national health service: a survey of research capacity and culture

“…However, only if they are equipped with the appropriate knowledge and skills, resources, authority, and sufficient support from senior management [ 34 ] can team-level middle managers effectively operationalize this support to facilitate AHP research engagement [ 35 ]. Of note, a recent Australian study surveying multiple healthcare disciplines suggests that inadequate research skill/ support at team-level may be a problem specific to allied health research [ 36 ]. National research support organisations may therefore need to target resources and efforts specifically towards supporting AHP team managers, ensuring they have access to relevant training, mentorship and support.…”

Allied health professionals’ research capacity: open to interpretation?

“…In describing the scale values in this way, the authors of this study do not outline or cite the construct validation process that enables the RCC tool to be categorised as such. It has been previously identified that the RCC tool does not provide cut off values to enable a meaningful interpretation of the score beyond the original definitions of the scale (1 = no success/skill; 10 = highest possible success/skill) [ 6 ].…”

Model for Developing Research Culture Experience at HITEC Institute of Medical Sciences

“…Healthcare organizations with a strong research culture have greater productivity, higher retention of doctors and less patient mortality. (1,2) Research literacy which is required for this culture to prevail is deficient in many healthcare professionals. However, as evidence-based practices are gaining momentum, more organizations are now getting their professionals involved in research training and evidence generation.…”

“…Frameworks have identified necessary components for these systems including supportive governance, enabling organizational structures, research literacy of leaders, dedicated staff research positions, infrastructure, partnerships with universities, research skills, motivation and faculty participation. (1,3) Developed countries have shown great progress in transforming their health systems by establishing methods for evidence-based practices. Developing countries such as Pakistan still lag behind despite the rising research needs, as there is a general trend for producing medical practitioners rather than medical researchers.…”