An Evaluation of a Capacity Building Initiative Suggests ‘Participation’ as a Research Metric for Clinicians in an Australian Public Health Service

Abstract

Clinicians within public health services are becoming increasingly research active. Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) introduced a Research Capability Framework (RCF) to guide research capacity and to monitor research activity. The RCF comprises three themes, each with two objectives. The RCF was introduced to allied health in 2018 so a comprehensive evaluation was required to ensure the framework met the needs of clinician researchers at THHS.       Methods       A mixed method study was employed including interviews and self-rating of objectives, and a survey of allied health clinicians to measure experience and knowledge of research methods. The interviews were themed and quantitative data was analysed descriptively.       Results.       12 Directors, 5 Team Leaders and 105 clinical allied health professionals (AHP) participated. Resulting themes were: research rich potential of the clinical environment, role of managers, impact of research on productivity, effect of individuals on research relationships, and organisational processes that promote or demote research. High levels of research participation were noted, and varying levels of methods knowledge were evident.       Discussion       The three themes and six objectives of the RCF are salient to AHP research activity but doesn’t guide development. Different teams start at, and have strengths in, different aspects showing research participation is high and increased over time. Qualitative content describes aspects not previously attributed to research in a public health service.

Keywords: Research capacity and capability, Participation, quality improvement, Learning Health System