Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering With University-Based Researchers in Canada – A Call to “Re-imagine” Research

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Applied Research and Evaluation Consultant, Centreville, NS, Canada

2 Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

3 Ottawa Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

4 School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada

5 Universite de Saint-Boniface, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

6 University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

7 Hôpital Montfort, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada

8 Northern Health, Prince George, BC, Canada

9 University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, BC, Canada

10 Nova Scotia Health Authority, Halifax, NS, Canada

Abstract

Background
Emerging evidence that meaningful relationships with knowledge users are a key predictor of research use has led to promotion of partnership approaches to health research. However, little is known about health system experiences of collaborations with university-based researchers, particularly with research partnerships in the area of health system design and health service organization. The purpose of the study was to explore the experience and perspectives of senior health managers in health service organizations, with health organization-university research partnerships.
 
Methods
In-depth, semi-structured interviews (n = 25) were conducted with senior health personnel across Canada to explore their perspectives on health system research; experiences with health organization-university research partnerships; challenges to partnership research; and suggested actions for improving engagement with knowledge users and promoting research utilization. Participants, recruited from organizations with regional responsibilities, were responsible for system-wide planning and support functions.
 
Results
Research is often experienced as unhelpful or irrelevant to decision-making by many within the system. Research, quality improvement (QI) and evaluation are often viewed as separate activities and coordinated by different responsibility areas. Perspectives of senior managers on barriers to partnership differed from those identified in the literature: organizational stress and restructuring, and limitations in readiness of researchers to work in the fast-paced healthcare environment, were identified as major barriers. Although the need for strong executive leadership was emphasized, “multi-system action” is needed for effective partnerships.
 
Conclusion
Common approaches to research and knowledge translation are often not appropriate for addressing issues of health service design and health services organization. Nor is the research community providing expertise to many important activities that the healthcare system is taking to improve health services. A radical rethinking of how we prepare health service researchers; position research within the health system; and fund research activities and infrastructure is needed if the potential benefits of research are to be achieved. Lack of response to health system needs may contribute to research and ‘evidence-informed’ practice being further marginalized from healthcare operations. Interventions to address barriers must respond to the perspectives and experience of health leadership.

Highlights

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Commentaries Published on this Paper

 

  • Bridging the ‘Two Cultures’ of Research and Service: Can Complexity Theory Help?; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering With University-Based Researchers in Canada – A Call to ‘Re-imagine’ Research”

          Abstract | PDF

 

  • When Coproduction Is Unproductive; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada: A Call to ‘Re-Imagine’ Research”

          Abstract | PDF

 

  • Re-imagining Research: A Bold Call, but Bold Enough?; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada: A Call to ‘Re-Imagine’ Research”

          Abstract | PDF

 

  •  Reimagining Researchers in Health Research; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering With University-Based Researchers in Canada: A Call to ‘Re-Imagine’ Research”

          Abstract | PDF

 

  • Building Research Capacity for Impact in Applied Health Services Research Partnerships; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering With University-Based Researchers in Canada – A Call to “Re-imagine” Research”

           Abstract | PDF

 

  • What Can Health Services Researchers Offer Health Systems? Developing Meaningful Partnerships Between Academics and Health System Workers; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada - A Call to ‘Re-imagine’ Research”

          Abstract | PDF

 

  •  Advancing Health Services Collaborative and Partnership Research; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada – A Call to ‘Re-imagine’ Research”

          Abstract | PDF

 

  • Promising Points for Intervention in Re-Imagining Partnered Research in Health Services; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada – A Call to ‘Re-imagine’ Research”

          Abstract | PDF

 

  • Cultivating Value Co-Creation in Health System Research; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada – A Call to Re-imagine Research”

         Abstract | PDF

 

  • Can We Re-Imagine Research So It Is Timely, Relevant and Responsive?; Comment on “Experience of Health Leadership in Partnering with University-Based Researchers in Canada: A Call to ‘Re-Imagine’ Research”

          Abstract | PDF

 

Authors' Response to the Commentaries

 

  • Re-imagining Health Research Partnership in a Post-COVID World: A Response to Recent Commentaries

          Abstract | PDF

 

Watch the Video Summary here.

 

Keywords

Main Subjects


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Volume 8, Issue 12
December 2019
Pages 684-699
  • Receive Date: 01 February 2019
  • Revise Date: 27 July 2019
  • Accept Date: 28 July 2019
  • First Publish Date: 01 December 2019