Motivators, enablers, and barriers to building allied health research capacity

Figures & data

Table 1 Allied health sample by profession, highest qualification, and research in role description

	Total sample (n = 84; missing = 1)
Profession
Allied health assistants	4
Nutritionists	13
Occupational therapists	17
Physiotherapists	14
Speech pathologists and audiologists	14
Social workers	7
Psychologists	3
Other: nurses, doctors, health promotion officers	10
Highest qualification
Certificate	1
Undergraduate	43
Postgraduate	36
Doctor of Philosophy	1
Nil	1
	Total sample (n = 74; missing = 11)
Research in role description
Yes	37
No	37

Table 2 Motivators, enablers, and barriers for allied health research at an individual level

Question 3.5 What are the barriers to research for you personally? Tick as many as apply		Question 3.6 What are the motivators to do research for you personally? Tick as many as apply
Barriers	Frequency (n = 81)	Motivators and enablers	Frequency (n = 81)
Other work roles take priority	70 (86%)	To develop skills	66 (81%)
Lack of time for research	66 (81%)	Increased job satisfaction	55 (68%)
Desire for work/life balance	46 (57%)	Problem identified that needs changing	43 (53%)
Lack of funds for research	45 (55%)	To keep the brain stimulated	38 (47%)
Lack of skills for research	44 (54%)	Career advancement	36 (44%)
Lack of suitable backfill	42 (52%)	Research encouraged by managers	36 (44%)
Lack of administrative support	40 (49%)	Links to universities	34 (42%)
Lack of software for research	33 (41%)	Mentors available to supervise	33 (41%)
Lack of a coordinated approach to research	29 (36%)	Opportunities to participate at own level	29 (36%)
Other personal commitments	28 (34%)	Desire to prove a theory or hunch	28 (34%)
Lack access to equipment for research	22 (27%)	Dedicated time for research	27 (33%)
Intimidated by research language	20 (25%)	Colleagues doing research	27 (33%)
Intimidated by fear of getting it wrong	18 (22%)	Grant funds	20 (25%)
Lack of support from management	15 (18%)	Forms part of postgraduate study	20 (25%)
Not interested in research	11 (14%)	Research written into role description	12 (15%)
Isolation	10 (12%)	Study or research scholarships	11 (14%)
Lack of library/Internet access	9 (11%)
Other (eg, limited exposure to research, lack of access to expertise, statistical analysis, lack of knowledge)	7 (9%)	Other (eg, to gather evidence that is relevant to practice, to increase knowledge, to keep at the cutting edge, support a new health initiative)	7 (9%)