Abstract
Objectives: The importance of research in radiation therapy is well publicised,1 however limited information is available on the importance of engaging radiation therapists (RTs) in research. Nationally there are limited clinical research positions and few practitioners are experienced in research.1,2 This study aimed to investigate the enablers and motivators for RTs to participate in research in relation to the proportion of research within an individual’s role, work location and health sector.
Methods: Practising RTs within Australia were invited by email to complete the online Research Capacity Culture Tool3 in October 2020. Individuals completed 51 Likert questions, 20 multiple-choice and five open-ended questions. The survey was conducted using Qualtrics with completed data exported to SPSS for analysis.
Results: Of 122 RTs who completed the study 26.3% had greater than 10% of research within their role, with the proportion of RTs who had more research time located in tertiary and research centres, followed by public, metropolitan, rural/regional and private centres. The highest ranked research motivators of participants that had more than 10% research in their role were (i) develop skills, (ii) increase job satisfaction, and (iii) clinical problems identified that needed changing. The provisions that were most readily available to support research in this group were (i) library access, (ii) research supervision, (iii) time, and least available were (i) administrative support, (ii) research funding, and (iii) training.
Discussion/Conclusion: This study has identified the motivators and enablers of research for Australian RTs that should be incorporated into future research capacity building strategies by maximising RTs exposure and access to motivators and enablers.
References
1. Halkett G, Berg M, Ebert M, et al. Radiation therapists' perspectives on participating in research. J Med Radiat Sci 2017;64(4):299–309.
2. Wright CA, Hilder B, Schneider-Kolsky ME. Meeting the research agenda in Australian radiation therapy: the current picture. J Radiother Pract 2009;8:67–77.
3. Holden L, Pager S, Golenko X, Ware RS. Validation of the research capacity and culture (RCC) tool: measuring RCC at individual, team and organisation levels. Aust J Prim Health 2012;18(1):62–7.
Methods: Practising RTs within Australia were invited by email to complete the online Research Capacity Culture Tool3 in October 2020. Individuals completed 51 Likert questions, 20 multiple-choice and five open-ended questions. The survey was conducted using Qualtrics with completed data exported to SPSS for analysis.
Results: Of 122 RTs who completed the study 26.3% had greater than 10% of research within their role, with the proportion of RTs who had more research time located in tertiary and research centres, followed by public, metropolitan, rural/regional and private centres. The highest ranked research motivators of participants that had more than 10% research in their role were (i) develop skills, (ii) increase job satisfaction, and (iii) clinical problems identified that needed changing. The provisions that were most readily available to support research in this group were (i) library access, (ii) research supervision, (iii) time, and least available were (i) administrative support, (ii) research funding, and (iii) training.
Discussion/Conclusion: This study has identified the motivators and enablers of research for Australian RTs that should be incorporated into future research capacity building strategies by maximising RTs exposure and access to motivators and enablers.
References
1. Halkett G, Berg M, Ebert M, et al. Radiation therapists' perspectives on participating in research. J Med Radiat Sci 2017;64(4):299–309.
2. Wright CA, Hilder B, Schneider-Kolsky ME. Meeting the research agenda in Australian radiation therapy: the current picture. J Radiother Pract 2009;8:67–77.
3. Holden L, Pager S, Golenko X, Ware RS. Validation of the research capacity and culture (RCC) tool: measuring RCC at individual, team and organisation levels. Aust J Prim Health 2012;18(1):62–7.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 57 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences |
| Volume | 69 |
| Issue number | S2 |
| Publication status | Published - May 2022 |
| Event | Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy (ASMIRT 2022): Unite ‐ the land, the sea, the people - Australia, Cairns, Australia Duration: 19 May 2022 → 22 May 2022 Conference number: 16th https://conference.asmirt.org/2022/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/20513909/2022/69/S1 (Published abstracts) |
Cite this
- APA
- Author
- BIBTEX
- Harvard
- Standard
- RIS
- Vancouver