Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Increasing emphasis on evidence based practice and clinical governance demands that links are forged and maintained between the research and health service communities.
Objectives: To survey staff and consumers to obtain information about their experience, knowledge and attitudes regarding research, to identify their concerns about research activities and to determine their education needs regarding both conducting and participating in research.
Methods: A questionnaire was developed by the researchers in consultation with key stakeholders based on a similar survey of general and mental health practitioners. The study was conducted in hospital and community settings, 160 consumers were interviewed, 20 from each of the four adult acute inpatient facilities and 20 from each of the four Community Health Centres. Surveys (n=476) were mailed to multidisciplinary staff working in the Area Mental Health Service and 181 (38%) were returned.
Results: Participants (70% consumers, 77% staff) were fairly or very interested in research and keen to know a bit or a lot more about research methods and processes (57% consumers, 71% staff). The research method, the purpose of the research, the potential benefits of the research, their overall interest in research and personal time constraints were identified factors that influence research participation. There were differences between staff and consumer attitudes towards evidence-based mental health care on a range of items. Similar numbers of consumers (82%) and staff (76%) agreed that with training, supervision and support, staff can undertake research projects. The majority of staff (95%) and consumers (88%) were fairly or very interested in the research that they participated in and would like a summary of results mailed to their residence or workplace (consumers 58%, staff 70%).
Conclusions: This study found the preferred methods of research from a consumer and staff perspective and the reasons some people choose not to participate. This provides direction for education initiatives to increase awareness and enhance research participation and a culture of collaborative research. The project represents a commitment to demystify and promote research amongst consumers and staff to enhance partnerships between the clinical, education and research fields.
Objectives: To survey staff and consumers to obtain information about their experience, knowledge and attitudes regarding research, to identify their concerns about research activities and to determine their education needs regarding both conducting and participating in research.
Methods: A questionnaire was developed by the researchers in consultation with key stakeholders based on a similar survey of general and mental health practitioners. The study was conducted in hospital and community settings, 160 consumers were interviewed, 20 from each of the four adult acute inpatient facilities and 20 from each of the four Community Health Centres. Surveys (n=476) were mailed to multidisciplinary staff working in the Area Mental Health Service and 181 (38%) were returned.
Results: Participants (70% consumers, 77% staff) were fairly or very interested in research and keen to know a bit or a lot more about research methods and processes (57% consumers, 71% staff). The research method, the purpose of the research, the potential benefits of the research, their overall interest in research and personal time constraints were identified factors that influence research participation. There were differences between staff and consumer attitudes towards evidence-based mental health care on a range of items. Similar numbers of consumers (82%) and staff (76%) agreed that with training, supervision and support, staff can undertake research projects. The majority of staff (95%) and consumers (88%) were fairly or very interested in the research that they participated in and would like a summary of results mailed to their residence or workplace (consumers 58%, staff 70%).
Conclusions: This study found the preferred methods of research from a consumer and staff perspective and the reasons some people choose not to participate. This provides direction for education initiatives to increase awareness and enhance research participation and a culture of collaborative research. The project represents a commitment to demystify and promote research amongst consumers and staff to enhance partnerships between the clinical, education and research fields.