A thematic analysis of the role of the organisation in building allied health research capacity: A senior managers perspective

Abstract

Background: Evidence-based practice aims to achieve better health outcomes in the community. It relies on highquality research to inform policy and practice; however research in primary health care continues to lag behind thatof other medical professions. The literature suggests that research capacity building (RCB) functions across fourlevels; individual, team, organisation and external environment. Many RCB interventions are aimed at an individualor team level, yet evidence indicates that many barriers to RCB occur at an organisational or external environmentlevel. This study asks senior managers from a large healthcare organisation to identify the barriers and enablers toRCB. The paper then describes strategies for building allied health (AH) research capacity at an organisational levelfrom a senior managers perspective.Methods: This qualitative study is part of a larger collaborative RCB project. Semi-structured in-depth interviewswere conducted with nine allied health senior managers. Recorded interviews were transcribed and NVivo wasused to analyse findings and emergent themes were defined.Results: The dominant themes indicate that the organisation plays an integral role in building AH research capacityand is the critical link in creating synergy across the four levels of RCB. The organisation can achieve this byincorporating research into its core business with a whole of organisation approach including its mission, visionand strategic planning. Critical success factors include: developing a co-ordinated and multidisciplinary approach toattain critical mass of research-active AH and enhance learning and development; support from senior managersdemonstrated through structures, processes and systems designed to facilitate research; forming partnerships toincrease collaboration and sharing of resources and knowledge; and establishing in internal framework to promoterecognition for research and career path opportunities.Conclusions: This study identifies four key themes: whole of organisation approach; structures, processes andsystems; partnerships and collaboration; and dedicated research centres, units and positions. These themes formthe foundation of a model which can be applied to assist in achieving synergy across the four levels of RCB,overcome barriers and create an environment that supports and facilitates research development in AH. © 2012 Golenko et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.