Research utilisation among Swedish dental hygienists

Abstract

Dental hygienists have to practise evidence‐based decision making in the future, which means that actively seeking and utilising research findings will become more important. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore barriers to and facilitators of research utilisation in clinical practice among Swedish dental hygienists. Methods: The study was a descriptive, comparative cross‐sectional survey including a random sample of 491 dental hygienists in Sweden. The response rate was 62%. A validated questionnaire covering different aspects of participation in research, support for and availability of research, and research utilisation was employed. Results: The most common research‐related activities were: reading research projects in professional journals, 83%; participating in clinical audit, 67%; and sharing research findings with their own professional colleagues, 65%. The most commonly reported available research‐related resources were computer services to access the internet, which was true for 84%. A total of 31% reported exploring how research findings can be used in clinical settings as the best help to make research more useful. The most reported item that discouraged dental hygienists the most from using research in clinical practice was time limitation (42%). Dental hygienists with continuing education university courses reported a higher activity in seeking new research and more support and available research‐related activities than those without a university course. Dental hygienists with a 2‐year education reported a more positive attitude towards research and rated their own research utilisation in clinical practice higher than those with a 1‐year education. Dental hygienists educated at universities without a dental school reported a more positive attitude towards research and rated their own research utilisation in clinical practice higher than those who were educated in connection with a dental school. Dental hygienists working in public dental care reported higher activity in seeking new research and rated their own research utilisation in clinical practice higher than those working in private dental offices. Conclusions: There is a need for continuing education in evidence‐based dental hygiene. The length of the education is important, and a more comprehensive education support research utilisation.