Health Services Research in the Public Health Department - An Explorative Interview Study on Scientific Methodological Competence in the PHS in Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Abstract

One aim of the pact for the Public Health Service ("Pakt für den ÖGD") is to increase scientific activity in the Public Health Service (PHS). This study deals with the question, which methods related to health services research are known and applied in the PHS and which methods are needed by PHS employees in the federal state Baden-Württemberg in Germany. Guideline-based interviews (focus group and individual interviews) were conducted with 12 persons at different hierarchy levels from public health departments in Baden-Württemberg. The interviews were subjected to content analysis acording to Kuckartz. The interviewees described their heterogeneous needs as well as their methodological competences. Staff members expressed existing competences more frequently than leaders. These competencies included those used in everyday work such as literature research in routinely collected data (e. g., school entry examination), or different methods for data analysis. Needs seemed to exist primarily in the area of data analysis and collection, but were also expressed in the area of basic scientific methods. Topics relating to guidelines for good scientific practice (e. g., ethics proposals) and publications were also rather less known. A need for a support from research institutions or higher authorities was frequently mentioned. In addition, motivation and barriers for research in public health departments were mentioned. This study shows that existing methodological competencies and needs are heterogeneous and can be attributed to the heterogeneous backgrounds and fields of activity of the interviewees. Competencies are indicated, for example, in literature research and analysis of existing data. There is a need in methods, for example, of data collection/analysis as well as in basic scientific methods and deepening of existing skills. Furthermore support offers regarding scientific methodological competence for public health departments are required. There is also a lack of research infrastructure (e. g. software, access to literature) and a legal basis. The results can serve as a basis for the design of demand-oriented methodological programs for employees of the PHS in Baden-Württemberg.