Clinician perspectives on participation in research

Midwifery practice settings offer ideal opportunities to conduct research on normal childbearing. Increasing the output of midwifery research would benefit midwives, as well as the women they serve. But finding ways to add research activities to a busy clinical schedule is a challenge. Factors thought to promote clinician participation in research are as follows: perceived relevance of the research topic, a relationship with a lead researcher, regular feedback to clinicians, minimal impact of a study on usual clinical care, and some level of compensation for clinicians who participate in research. Barriers include time constraints, lack of research updates and support, and limited research skills of clinicians. Joint projects by academic researchers teamed with active clinician groups are suggested as one way to move a midwifery research agenda forward.