Participation of nurses and allied health professionals in research activities: a survey in an academic tertiary pediatric hospital
Authors: Amicucci Matteo , Dall’Oglio Immacolata , Biagioli Valentina , Gawronski Orsola , Piga Simone , Ricci Riccardo , Angelaccio Anna , Elia Domenica , Fiorito Mario E. , Marotta Luigi , Raponi Massimiliano , Tiozzo Emanuela ,   Research Study Group, Amadio Patrizia , Brancaccio Matilde , Campagna Ilaria , Ciliento Gaetano , Connola Federica , D’Angelo Matteo , Lena Davide Della , Di Furia Michela , Di Iorio Floriana , Evangelisti Giuliana , Frezza Rita , Gargano Daniele , Gjergji Marjola , Iorio Ciro , Lorubbio Antonella , Manzi Giulia , Mascolo Rachele , Meloni Francesca Maria , Passi Flaminia , Piccioni Federico , Ragni Angela , Rubei Desiree , Russo Luisa , Salama Emanuela , Scarselletta Gianna , Bianchi Natalia , D’Elpidio Giuliana , De Santis Marcello , Ciaralli Italo , Cirulli Luisa , D’Agostino Marina , Manca Giovanna , Martino Sandra , Paliotta Mauro , Portanova Anna , Querciati Alessandra , Renzetti Tommaso , Roberti Marco 
Published: June 2022

Background

Involvement in research activities is complex in pediatric nursing and allied health professionals (AHPs). It is important to understand which individual factors are associated with it to inform policy makers in promoting research.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to describe the level of participation in research activities over the last ten years of nurses and AHPs working in a tertiary pediatric hospital. A large sample of nurses and AHPs working in an Italian academic tertiary pediatric hospital completed an online self-report questionnaire between June and December 2018. Three multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to predict participation in research projects, speaking at conferences, and writing scientific articles.

Results

Overall, data from 921 health professionals were analyzed (response rate = 66%), of which about 21% (n = 196) reported participating in a research project, while 33% (n = 297) had attended a scientific conference as a speaker, and 11% (n = 94) had written at least one scientific paper. Having a Master or a Regional Advanced Course, working as an AHP or a ward manager, as well as regularly reading scientific journals and participation in an internal hospital research group or attendance in a specific course about research in the hospital, significantly predicted participation in research projects, speaking at conferences and writing scientific papers. It is important to foster research interest and competencies among health professionals to improve participation in research projects, speaking at conferences, and writing scientific papers.

Conclusions

Overall, we found a good level of attendance at conferences as speakers (33%), a moderate level of participation in research (21%), and low levels for writing scientific papers (11%). Our study highlighted the need to support participation in research activities among nurses and AHPs. Policymakers should identify strategies to promote research among nurses and AHPs, such as protected rewarded time for research, specific education, strengthened collaboration with academics, and financial support. Moreover, hospital managers should promote the development of research culture among health professionals, to improve their research competencies and evidence-based practice.