Setting Research Priorities Within Allied Health: What Do Clinicians Think?

Authors

Annette Davis, Monash Health and Monash UniversityFollow
Den-Ching Angel Lee, Monash University, AustraliaFollow
Lisa-Anabell Wenzel, Hochschule Hannover - University of Applied Sciences and ArtsFollow
Terry Haines, Monash UniversityFollow

Abstract

Background: Research activity among allied health clinicians working in publicly funded health care organisations is growing, yet little attention has been paid to how these activities are prioritised. Without a specific framework to guide research direction, it is likely that research will be conducted in areas that are prioritised by individual clinicians. However, it is presently unknown what areas are prioritised by clinicians and the reasoning behind their prioritisation. Purpose: The aims of this study were to identify what clinicians identify to be the highest priority research across personal, department, and health service levels, and the reasons why. It also sought to identify barriers and enablers to conducting this research. Methods: Qualitative, cross-sectional survey with n=95 allied health clinician respondents within one organisation. Survey items relating to research priority were structured across three levels. Survey format consisted of open-ended questions and thematic content analysis was used to categorise responses. Results: The highest priority research across personal, departmental and organisational levels were related to areas of personal work, departmental service and models of care evaluation respectively. The top three priorities in all levels combined were “testing solutions”, “understanding problems or developing solutions” and “implementing evidence-based approaches in real life”. The primary reason provided as to why the research was considered to be of the highest priority was related to the anticipated effectiveness of intervention on patient outcomes and the efficiency of service delivery models being investigated. Time shortages/workload/competing priorities were the most frequently identified barriers to conducting this research, while mentoring /access to university partners/organisational culture/leadership and priorities that favoured research were the most frequently identified enablers. Conclusions: Considerations can be taken from our findings to guide the development of a framework or system to prioritise research projects in the publicly funded health care organisation.

Author Bio(s)

Annette Davis, (B.App.Sc(Pod)), is an Allied Health manager in Podiatry of Monash Health in Melbourne, Australia and a PhD candidate in the School of Primary and Allied Health Care of Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences in Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. She is also a registered Podiatrist in Australia.

Den-Ching A. Lee, (PhD), is the corresponding author. She is a Research Fellow in the School of Primary and Allied Health Care of Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences in Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. She is also a registered Physiotherapist in Australia.

Lisa-Anabell Wenzel, (B.Sc.) is a Master degree student in Physiotherapy in the Faculty of Diaconic Studies, Health Care and Social Work of Hochschule Hannover - University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Hannover, Germany. She is also a practising Physiotherapist in Germany.

Terry P. Haines, (PhD), is the Head of School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing, and Health Sciences of Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. He is a registered physiotherapist in Australia.

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2019.1826

Recommended Citation

Davis A, Lee D, Wenzel L, Haines T. Setting Research Priorities Within Allied Health: What Do Clinicians Think?. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2019 Jan 01;17(1), Article 6.