An evaluation of the research capacity of Emergency Department clinicians at the Townsville Hospital

Background /Aims: This study aimed to assess the baseline research capabilities of emergency department (ED) clinicians at The Townsville Hospital(TTH). Methods: A survey was sent to clinicians working in the ED of TTH over a one month period in 2012. Participants were asked to provide information on demographics, interest in participating in future research, research experience and support needs, and attitudes and beliefs about research. Results: Of the 13 allied health, 109 medical and 223 nursing staff working in the ED at the time of the survey, 212 clinicians (13 allied health, 88 medical and 111 nursing) responded yielding an overall response rate of 61.5%. A minority of clinicians reported participating in research activities such as publications (11.8%) and conference presentations (12.3%)in the preceding 3 years, however the majority of clinicians (68.3%) were interested in getting involved in future research. In general clinicians had more experience and required less support with earlier stages of the research process such as searching and critically reviewing literature. The four barriers that were identified as most influential on research involvement were insufficient time (71.2%), lack of support such as training or supervision (61.8%), not having a relevant or interesting (42.0%), and being unable access to adequate funding or resources (23.6%). Conclusion: Research involvement of TTH ED clinicians was only small, with more support required for more complex research tasks. Attitudes towards research were generally positive with reported interest in future involvement likely to facilitate research capacity building efforts in the ED.

Annals of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine Inc

Annals of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine

14

1448-4706

N/A

1

1