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Rethinking health professionals’ motivation to do research: a systematic review
Rethinking health professionals’ motivation to do research: a systematic review
REVIEWED BY Anna Graves, AFASA | ASA SIG: Research
REFERENCE | Authors: Louisa M D’Arrietta, Venkat N Vangaveti, Melissa J Crowe, Bunmi S Malau-Aduli
WHY THE STUDY WAS PERFORMED
The literature review was undertaken to investigate the decline of the health professional researcher. Research within the health professional sphere underpins the development of evidence-based practice which, in turn, influences the current skills, knowledge and competence of the health professional. The implications of the current decline in research are concerning and it is expected that this will eventually have a detrimental effect on both patient outcomes and the economy. The research aims to identify the motivational factors and barriers currently influencing the health professional researcher and to correlate the influence these may have on the existing research ethos.
The motivation to do research was explored using both the Expectancy-Value-Cost (EVC) and Self-Determination Theory (SDT) models.
HOW THE STUDY WAS PERFORMED
A systematic review of the literature between 2011 and 2021, using the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, was undertaken. The inclusion and exclusion criteria described the definition of a health professional researcher as a medical graduate, nurse, midwife or other allied health professional engaged in both clinical and research practice. Other criteria specified that all papers were peer reviewed and written in English.
Four thousand and thirty-four (4034) articles were identified at the end of the search period and of these forty-six (46) met the inclusion criteria.
A data extraction form was developed due to the diverse multiple study designs encountered and the Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs (QATSDD) applied.
WHAT THE STUDY FOUND
The study considered the motivational influences affecting research under three main headings: research capacity – competence/confidence and expectancy to do research; health professionals’ attitude towards research, this in turn relates to the value and connection placed on research; and, finally, the barriers preventing or hindering health professional research participation.
The categories below are linked and all have a direct influence on health professional research motivation.
The research capacity component involvement was greatly influenced by the level of underpinning research skill and experience. This experience appears to be derived mainly from the educational institutions.
Health professionals that are highly motivated to do research appreciate not only the value in advancing patient care with evidence-based practice but also the continued advancement of their career, the gaining of new knowledge, collaborative practice and publishing. While health professionals who are not motivated seem to lack the ability to perceive these effects and only identify with the benefit for the employer.
The barriers to research continue to be the lack of funding, allocated time, as well as lack of confidence, organisational support and poor prior research knowledge.
“There is a decline in the number of health professionals undertaking research, which has implications for patient health and the economy.”
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE
This research identifies the changes required to motivate health professionals to participate in research. These changes encompass and have bearing on the current clinical workplace, accreditation bodies, and educational platforms.
