Register      Login
Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Research culture and capacity in community health services: results of a structured survey of staff

Emma L. Friesen A B C and Elizabeth J. Comino A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Centre for Health Equity, Training, Research and Evaluation: a member of the Ingham Institute; South Western Sydney Local Health District; and Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, University of New South Wales Australia.

B Centre for Health Equity Training Research and Evaluation, University of New South Wales Australia, Locked Bag 7103, Liverpool BC, NSW 1871, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Present address: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia. Email: emma.friesen@uqconnect.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 23(2) 123-131 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY15131
Submitted: 11 August 2015  Accepted: 18 January 2016   Published: 17 August 2016

Abstract

Developing research capacity is recognised as an important endeavour. However, little is known about the current research culture, capacity and supports for staff working in community-based health settings. A structured survey of Division of Community Health staff was conducted using the research capacity tool. The survey was disseminated by email and in paper format. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. In total, 109 usable responses were received, giving a response rate of 26%. Respondents were predominately nurses (n = 71, 65.7%), with ~50% reporting post-graduate vocational qualifications. The highest levels of skills or organisational success were in using evidence to plan, promote and guide clinical practice. Most participants were unsure of organisational and team level skills and success at generating research. Few reported recent experience in research-generating activities. Barriers to undertaking research included lack of skills, time and access to external support and funding. Lack of skills and success in accessing external funding and resources to protect research time or to ‘buy-in’ technical expertise appeared to exacerbate these barriers. Community health staff have limited capacity to generate research with current levels of skill, funding and time. Strategies to increase research capacity should be informed by knowledge of clinicians’ research experience and interests, and target development of skills to generate research. Resources and funding are needed at the organisational and team levels to overcome the significant barriers to research generation reported.

Additional keywords: research capacity building, research capacity development, nursing, allied health.


References

Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (2010) Primary health care research, evaluation and development (PHCRED) strategy phase three: 2010–2014. (Commonwealth of Australia) Available at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/02DB30DFFAC002E8CA257BF0001CFF3C/$File/PHCRED%20Strategy%20Oct%202010%20PRINT.pdf [Verified 21 January 2015]

Comino E, Kemp L (2008) Research-related activities in community-based child health services. Journal of Advanced Nursing 63, 266–275.
Research-related activities in community-based child health services.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18702773PubMed |

Cooke J (2005) A framework to evaluate research capacity building in health care. BMC Family Practice 6, 44
A framework to evaluate research capacity building in health care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16253133PubMed |

Cooke J, Nancarrow S, Hammersley V, Farndon L, Vernon W (2006) The “Designated Research Team” approach to building research capacity in primary care. Primary Care Research and Development 7, 78–86.
The “Designated Research Team” approach to building research capacity in primary care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cooke J, Nancarrow S, Dyas J, Williams M (2008) An evaluation of the ‘Designated Research Team’ approach to building research capacity in primary care. BMC Family Practice 9, 37
An evaluation of the ‘Designated Research Team’ approach to building research capacity in primary care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18588685PubMed |

Dahlberg L, McCaig C (2010) ‘Practical Research and Evaluation: a Start-to-Finish Guide for Practitioners.’ (SAGE Publications: London)

Eagar K, Owen A, Cranny C, Samsa P, Thompson C (2008) Community health: the state of play in NSW. A report for the NSW Community Health Review (Report 2). (Centre for Health Service Development, University of Wollongong: Wollongong) Available at http://ro.uow.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1575&context=ahsri [Verified 1 August 2016]

Elphinston RA, Pager S (2015) Untapped potential: psychologists leading research in clinical practice. Australian Psychologist 50, 115–121.
Untapped potential: psychologists leading research in clinical practice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Finch E, Cornwell P, Ward EC, McPhail SM (2013) Factors influencing research engagement: research interest, confidence and experience in an Australian speech-language pathology workforce. BMC Health Services Research 13, 144
Factors influencing research engagement: research interest, confidence and experience in an Australian speech-language pathology workforce.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23597184PubMed |

Friesen EL, Comino EJ (2015) Publication outputs from a primary and community health research unit, 2011–14. Australian Journal of Primary Health 21, 118–119.
Publication outputs from a primary and community health research unit, 2011–14.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25739033PubMed |

Friesen EL, Comino EJ, Powell Davies G (2014a) ‘A Research Capacity Building Strategy for SWSLHD Division of Community Health 2015–2020.’ (South Western Sydney Local Health District: Sydney)

Friesen EL, Comino EJ, Reath J, Derrett A, Johnson M, Davies GP, Teng-Liaw S, Kemp L (2014b) Building research capacity in south-west Sydney through a primary and community health research unit. Australian Journal of Primary Health 20, 4–8.
Building research capacity in south-west Sydney through a primary and community health research unit.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23050636PubMed |

Friesen EL, Margetson K, Carman S, Short K, Comino EJ (2014c) From an idea to a research project: a case study of novice practitioner research in south western Sydney. Journal of Assistive, Rehabilitative and Therapeutic Technologies 2, 1–8.

Golenko X, Pager S, Holden L (2012) A thematic analysis of the role of the organisation in building allied health research capacity: a senior managers’ perspective. BMC Health Services Research 12, 276
A thematic analysis of the role of the organisation in building allied health research capacity: a senior managers’ perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22920443PubMed |

Gosling AS, Westbrook JI (2004) Allied health professionals’ use of online evidence: a survey of 790 staff working in the Australian public hospital system. International Journal of Medical Informatics 73, 391–401.
Allied health professionals’ use of online evidence: a survey of 790 staff working in the Australian public hospital system.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15135758PubMed |

Grimmer-Somers K, Lekkas P, Nyland L, Young A, Kumar S (2007) Perspectives on research evidence and clinical practice: a survey of Australian physiotherapists. Physiotherapy Research International 12, 147–161.
Perspectives on research evidence and clinical practice: a survey of Australian physiotherapists.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17624895PubMed |

Holden L, Pager S, Golenko X, Ware R, Weare R (2012a) Evaluating a team-based approach to research capacity building using a matched-pairs study design. BMC Family Practice 13, 16
Evaluating a team-based approach to research capacity building using a matched-pairs study design.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22409832PubMed |

Holden L, Pager S, Golenko X, Ware RS (2012b) Validation of the research capacity and culture (RCC) tool: measuring RCC at individual, team and organisation levels. Australian Journal of Primary Health 18, 62–67.
Validation of the research capacity and culture (RCC) tool: measuring RCC at individual, team and organisation levels.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22394664PubMed |

Howard AJ, Ferguson M, Wilkinson P, Campbell KL (2013) Involvement in research activities and factors influencing research capacity among dietitians. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 26, 180–187.
Involvement in research activities and factors influencing research capacity among dietitians.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23577923PubMed |

Hulcombe J, Sturgess J, Souvlis T, Fitzgerald C (2014) An approach to building research capacity for health practitioners in a public health environment: an organisational perspective. Australian Health Review 38, 252–258.
An approach to building research capacity for health practitioners in a public health environment: an organisational perspective.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24785693PubMed |

Ilott I (2004) Challenges and strategic solutions for a research emergent profession. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 58, 347–352.
Challenges and strategic solutions for a research emergent profession.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15202634PubMed |

Jones ML, Cifu DX, Backus D, Sisto SA (2013) Instilling a research culture in an applied clinical setting. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 94, S49–S54.
Instilling a research culture in an applied clinical setting.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23140580PubMed |

Lazzarini PA, Geraghty J, Kinnear EM, Butterworth M, Ward D (2013) Research capacity and culture in podiatry: early observations within Queensland Health. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 6, 1–11.
Research capacity and culture in podiatry: early observations within Queensland Health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23302627PubMed |

Lizarondo L., Grimmer-Somers K., Kumar S. (2011) A systematic review of the individual determinants of research evidence use in allied health. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 4, 261–272.
A systematic review of the individual determinants of research evidence use in allied health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3MjmvFagsA%3D%3D&md5=956cf2fa03a03e19b5cb77ee18107d1cCAS | 21847348PubMed |

McIntyre E, Brun L, Cameron H (2011) Researcher development program of the primary health care research, evaluation and development strategy. Australian Journal of Primary Health 17, 114–121.
Researcher development program of the primary health care research, evaluation and development strategy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21616035PubMed |

McKenna HP, Ashton S, Keeney S (2004) Barriers to evidence-based practice in primary care. Journal of Advanced Nursing 45, 178–189.
Barriers to evidence-based practice in primary care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 14706003PubMed |

Metcalfe C, Lewin R, Wisher S, Perry S, Bannigan K, Moffett JK (2001) Barriers to implementing the evidence base in four NHS therapies: dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists. Physiotherapy 87, 433–441.
Barriers to implementing the evidence base in four NHS therapies: dietitians, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pager S., Holden L., Golenko X. (2012) Motivators, enablers, and barriers to building allied health research capacity. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare 5, 53–59.
Motivators, enablers, and barriers to building allied health research capacity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22396626PubMed |

Pain T, Plummer D, Pighills A, Harvey D (2015) Comparison of research experience and support needs of rural versus regional allied health professionals. The Australian Journal of Rural Health 23, 277–285.
Comparison of research experience and support needs of rural versus regional allied health professionals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26381792PubMed |

Pickstone C, Nancarrow S, Cooke J, Vernon W, Mountain G, Boyce RA, Campbell J (2008) Building research capacity in the allied health professions. Evidence & Policy 4, 53–68.
Building research capacity in the allied health professions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pighills AC, Plummer D, Harvey D, Pain T (2013) Positioning occupational therapy as a discipline on the research continuum: results of a cross-sectional survey of research experience. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal 60, 241–251.
Positioning occupational therapy as a discipline on the research continuum: results of a cross-sectional survey of research experience.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 23888974PubMed |

Retsas A (2000) Barriers to using research evidence in nursing practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing 31, 599–606.
Barriers to using research evidence in nursing practice.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD3c7osVaguw%3D%3D&md5=68d3a8d29870d74f600d30c62c2129a4CAS | 10718879PubMed |

Ried K, Fuller J (2005) Building a culture of research dissemination in primary health care: the South Australian experience of supporting novice researchers. Australian Health Review 29, 6–11.
Building a culture of research dissemination in primary health care: the South Australian experience of supporting novice researchers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15683349PubMed |

Ried K, Farmer EA, Weston KM (2007) Bursaries, writing grants and fellowships: a strategy to develop research capacity in primary health care. BMC Family Practice 8, 19
Bursaries, writing grants and fellowships: a strategy to develop research capacity in primary health care.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17408497PubMed |

South Western Sydney Local Health District (2012) ‘Research strategy for South Western Sydney Local Health District 2012–2021.’ (South Western Sydney Local Health District: Sydney)

Squires JE, Estabrooks CA, Gustavsson P, Wallin L (2011) Individual determinants of research utilization by nurses: a systematic review update. Implementation Science 6, 1
Individual determinants of research utilization by nurses: a systematic review update.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21208425PubMed |

Stephens D., Taylor N., Leggat S. G. (2009) Research experience and research interests of Allied Health Professionals. Journal of Allied Health 38, e107–e111.

Stewart D, Al Hail M, Abdul Rouf PV, El Kassem W, Diack L, Thomas B, Awaisu A (2015) Building hospital pharmacy practice research capacity in Qatar: a cross-sectional survey of hospital pharmacists. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy 37, 511–521.
Building hospital pharmacy practice research capacity in Qatar: a cross-sectional survey of hospital pharmacists.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25733065PubMed |

Westbrook JI, Gosling AS, Coiera E (2004) Do clinicians use online evidence to support patient care? A study of 55 000 clinicians. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association 11, 113–120.
Do clinicians use online evidence to support patient care? A study of 55 000 clinicians.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 14662801PubMed |

White E (2003) Occupational therapy research: building capacity. British Journal of Occupational Therapy 66, 224–226.
Occupational therapy research: building capacity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Williams CM, Lazzarini PA (2015) The research capacity and culture of Australian podiatrists. Journal of Foot and Ankle Research 8, 11
The research capacity and culture of Australian podiatrists.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25844092PubMed |

Williams C, Miyazaki K, Borkowski D, McKinstry C, Cotchet M, Haines T (2015) Research capacity and culture of the Victorian public health allied health workforce is influenced by key research support staff and location. Australian Health Review 39, 303–311.
Research capacity and culture of the Victorian public health allied health workforce is influenced by key research support staff and location.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 25981456PubMed |