Education to Increase Skills in Research Methods among Clinicians in Health Care

Petra Dannapfel,Eva Tornvall,Ewa Wressle

doi:10.4172/2157-7420.1000282

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate participants’ and managers’ experience of the design and content of an education programme. The Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework was applied to identify the steps of knowledge creation and action in the education programme. Methods: Data were collected from 18 participants representing two groups: participants in the intervention and supervisors and managers. Two focus groups took place: two with participants in the intervention (4 and 3 in each) and one with eleven managers. Results: All steps in the KTA framework were identified and discussed from several aspects. The importance of selecting projects that were relevant and added value in their clinics was mentioned by all participants. The participants also mentioned that after the education, they had further understanding and increased skills in how to be active and perform continuous improvement projects. The step in the KTA process regarding how to adapt knowledge to local context was not discussed explicitly by the participants or managers. Discussion: Education in research methods and performing improvement projects to develop the clinic creates a more positive attitude to working with continuous improvement. The participant’s self-esteem and knowledge increased regarding how to work with improvements. It is important to have the manager’s support to perform a project. Emphasis was on knowledge inquiry and synthesis and presenting the results with or without possible solutions. The participants and managers talked about barriers and knowledge use more generally and at an organizational level. This means that the participants did not gain the last bit of knowledge needed to put the action into practice. This implies that the problem regarding lack of implementation skills in health care might remain.

Highlights

The aim of this study was to evaluate participants’ and managers’ experience of the design and content of an education programme
The programme mostly concerned the creation of knowledge and less emphasize was placed on the action phase/part as described in the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework
It is likely that the participants are more motivated to perform the project if it is derived from an existing knowledge inquiry within their clinic

Summary

Introduction

The aim of this study was to evaluate participants’ and managers’ experience of the design and content of an education programme. Knowledge is constantly changing and a great deal of the knowledge that is learned during training at university is obsolete by the time of graduation [1] In many areas, such as health care, up-to-date knowledge is critical, as is the ability to reflect and apply it in practice [2]. Peck et al [6] define “continuing professional development” as the process by which health professionals’ keep updated to meet the needs of patients, the health service, and their own professional development. It includes the continuous acquisition of new knowledge, skills, and attitudes to enable competent practice.”

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Conclusion