The Influence of Programmatic Change on Radiation Therapist Research Capacity-A Single-center Case Study

To identify various programmatic changes implemented in a Canadian radiotherapy department to build therapist research capacity, and to determine their combined impact on quantitative metrics of therapist research output.

This was a single-center case study design. Programmatic changes were retrospectively identified from various departmental documentary sources. Those changes, which were active between January 2004 and December 2008 and were implemented with the intention of increasing therapist research output, were categorized by primary purpose according to published criteria from the Allied Health Professions Research and Development Action Plan. Therapist research output was collected over the same time period by an annual department-wide e-mail request for information and verified through various independent sources.

Five educational initiatives had the potential to build therapist research knowledge and skills (e.g., journal club). Changes implemented to provide infrastructure to sustain therapist research included the creation of roles incorporating a formal research component. Four initiatives had the potential to promote research dissemination and networking (e.g., writing group). The number of therapist principal authors increased during the 5 years (from 4 to 14 per annum), with approximately 60% of articles published in international radiation medicine journals. The number of therapists presenting at conferences increased from 32 in 2004 to 63 in 2008, with 94% of submitted abstracts accepted for presentations in 2008. Therapists accumulated over $52,000 in peer-reviewed grant funds as principal investigators and the proportion of research-based therapist academic appointments has increased from 10% to 33% of appointees.

Invaluable progress has been made in a Canadian radiotherapy department by combining multiple research capacity building programmatic changes to establish a culture that encourages and supports therapist research pursuits. This has increased both the quantity and quality of therapist research activity.