Moving from Knowledge to Application: Hands-on Training Better at Building Research Skills

Lead Researcher and Department
Dr. Maria Mathews, Dept of Community Health and Humanities, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University

Funding Resources
Health and Community Services Western

Summary
Increasingly, health care managers and providers are being encouraged to apply evidence in their decision-making. Most, however, lack the research skills they need to do so. Restructuring within Health and Community Services Western (HCSW) presented an opportunity to give staff hands-on training by involving them in an evaluation of the organizational changes.

HCSW implemented a year-long staff development program designed to increase employee’s research skills. Surveys and focus groups were used to assess the impact of the project on participants’ knowledge about, attitudes toward, and skills in doing research, and on HCSW overall.

The results of the study gave evidence to support that:

Although most health care professionals are familiar with research terminology, they need specific training in how to apply research in their day-to-day decision making.

Involving staff in evaluation helps secure their support for the results and provides an excellent opportunity for employees to improve their research skills.

Research training that includes hands-on, practical exercises increase people’s confidence in their abilities, making them more likely to apply what they learn in their jobs.

Health care organizations that want to encourage evidence-based decision-making by staff must provide continuing education about and support for research.

Dates
2006

Keywords
Health and Community Services Western, Research Skills, Evidence-Based Decision Making, Research skills.

Locations
Corner Brook
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Corner Brook - Rocky Harbour
Zone 8 - Humber

Industry Sectors
Health Research and Development Laboratories (Professional, Scientific and Technical Services — Scientific Research and Development Services — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences)
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (Health Care and Social Assistance — Hospitals)
Medical Research and Development Laboratories (Professional, Scientific and Technical Services — Scientific Research and Development Services — Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering and Life Sciences)

Thematic Categories
Evidence Based Decision Making (Health)
Health Professionals (Health)

Departments
Faculty of Medicine (STJ)