From valuing research to implementing evidence-based practices: perceptions of research value, confidence, and...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Implementation Science
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Global older adult population growth necessitates evidence-based aging services.
• Understanding aging service providers' research perceptions is crucial for effective implementation.
• The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) guides the examination of these perceptions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine research perceptions among providers in a New York-based network of Area Agencies on Aging.
• To identify factors influencing providers' capacity and motivation to implement evidence-based practices.
• To apply the CFIR to understand implementation challenges in aging services.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey (N=172) was administered to aging service providers.
• Principal component analysis identified three provider engagement factors: Research Barriers, Perceived Research Value, and Research Confidence.
• Rank-based regression models analyzed predictors for each identified factor.

Main Results:

• Providers reported high Perceived Research Value (M=4.38) and moderate Research Confidence (M=3.76).
• Research Barriers were near the midpoint (M=3.10).
• Higher professional roles (executives) showed greater Research Confidence than lower roles (caseworkers); multiracial providers scored lower than White providers.

Conclusions:

• Provider confidence in applying research findings varies by professional role, suggesting capacity is a primary implementation barrier.
• Multilevel strategies targeting organizational settings and provider self-efficacy are recommended for improving evidence-based practice implementation.
• Further research is needed to explore racial subgroup differences due to limited sample size.