Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Centre for Health Services Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
2
Dietetics and Food Services, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
3
School of Health Sciences and Social Work, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
4
Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
5
Healthcare Excellence and Innovation, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
6
Office of the Chief Allied Health Practitioner, Metro North Allied Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
7
Department of Obstetric Medicine, Mater Mothers’ Hospitals, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
8
School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
9
Allied Health, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, QLD, Australia
10
Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia
11
ULTRA Team, Clinical Trial Capability, Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Abstract
Background
Knowledge translation (KT) in healthcare is a complex process. Building the KT capacity of the workforce is fundamental to closing the gaps between research and evidence-based practice. This evaluation aimed to describe the impact of a KT capacity building program (Allied Health Translating Research into Practice, AH-TRIP) on allied health professionals and health services and systems, with the secondary aim of identifying barriers and enablers to program impact.
Methods
Multi methods evaluation using online surveys and semi-structured interviews with 20 program participants and their managers. The interview guide was underpinned by the Framework to Assess the Impact from Translational health research (FAIT). Deductive content analysis was used to categorise impact against FAIT, with barriers and enablers mapped to an implementation framework.
Results
Six domains of impact were identified: Individual Capacity Building, Workforce Capacity Building, Enhanced Networks, Clinical Practice Change, Patient/Community Benefits, and Economic Benefits. Enablers of impact were program design (flexibility, access to mentors, funding opportunities), local contexts supporting research (manager support, access to local experts), and previous exposure to KT. Consistent barriers included a lack of clinician time and confidence in KT, staff turnover (particularly in regional/rural areas), lack of organisational research culture, and shortterm funding cycles.
Conclusion
Using FAIT methodology, we have demonstrated significant impact achieved by a KT capacity building program for individual health professionals and the broader allied health workforce and health services and systems. Impact could be further optimised by strategies targeted at managers to create supportive contexts for KT through improving research literacy in health decision and policy contexts and innovative workforce planning.
Keywords
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