Related Experiment Videos
"Interaction" and research utilisation in health policies and programs: does it work?
Anita Kothari1, Stephen Birch, Cathy Charles
1University of Western Ont., Faculty of Health Sciences, 1151 Richmond Street, Somerville House 2319, London, Ont., Canada N6A 3K7. akothari@uwo.ca
Health Policy (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
|November 27, 2004
Summary
User-producer interaction improved understanding and value of research findings but did not increase their application in health programs. Applied research use was independent of this interaction.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Knowledge Translation
Background:
- Effective translation of research into healthcare practice is crucial for improving health outcomes.
- Understanding factors influencing research adoption, such as user-producer interaction, is vital for evidence-based healthcare program design.
- Previous studies have explored research utilization, but the specific impact of direct user-producer interaction on applied use requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if interaction between research users and producers influences the adoption of research findings in health care program design and delivery.
- To compare research utilization levels between public health units involved in research development and those not involved.
Main Methods:
- A multi-case study design was employed, comparing three interacting public health units with three non-interacting comparison units in Ontario, Canada.
- Data were collected through group interviews and document review to assess research utilization across stages: reading, information processing, and application.
- The study focused on responses to a breast cancer prevention research report dissemination.
Main Results:
- Public health units that interacted with research producers demonstrated a greater understanding of the research analysis and perceived higher value in the findings.
- Despite increased understanding and value, interaction was not significantly associated with higher levels of applied research utilization in program design and delivery.
- Both interacting and comparison groups utilized research findings primarily for confirming existing program activities and for benchmarking performance against other units.
Conclusions:
- Interaction between research producers and users enhances comprehension and intent to use research, but does not directly translate to increased application in health programs.
- Applied utilization of research findings in health care programs appears to be independent of the level of interaction between producers and users.
- Strategies to enhance research adoption should consider factors beyond direct interaction, focusing on facilitating the practical application of evidence into health services.