Understanding the facilitators and barriers to sonographers' research engagement: A systematic review

Research engagement is central to evidence-based clinical ultrasound practice, and a component of advanced clinical practice pillars. Despite increasing policy emphasis and interventions, sonographers remain underrepresented in research activity. This systematic review aimed to identify the extent of sonographers' research interest and engagement, and to explore facilitators and barriers influencing research participation and utilisation.

A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the Cochrane Handbook. Systematic searches were carried out across four key databases, supplemented by manual searches of relevant journals, to identify quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies exploring sonographers' engagement in research. The Quality Assessment Tool for Studies with Diverse Designs (QATSDD) was used for critical appraisal. A results-based convergent synthesis was then performed to integrate the qualitative and quantitative findings.

Seven studies (617 participants) met inclusion criteria. Sonographers demonstrate high awareness and interest in research (up to 68.5 %), but only one-third were active researchers. Key barriers included lack of protected research time, limited research skill/experience, insufficient organisational and professional support, restricted funding access, and a perceived lack of authority to implement findings. Facilitators included career development goals, scientific curiosity, research-oriented leadership, peer support, and access to mentorship or formal training.

Institutional and professional efforts are needed to promote sonographers' research engagement. Enhanced mentorship/training, improved funding, embedding research into role specifications, and protected time are essential to bridge the interest-participation gap and build research capacity.

Implementing targeted policy support and strategic initiatives-such as funding and training programmes for sonographer-focused research-can improve job satisfaction, increase engagement, and facilitate evidence-informed practice.