Research Capacity Building for Clinicians: How Does the Research Facilitator Role Foster Engagement in the Research Process?

Abstract Background: There is evidence reporting more positive outcomes from research capacity building programs that include a research facilitator role. Further, it has been suggested that research facilitator roles can be a useful strategy in building the research capacity of health care clinicians. However, until now, little attention has been applied to identifying the characteristics of the research facilitator role and how this role contributes to clinicians’ engagement with the research process. Methods: This qualitative study employed an inductive approach and utilised face to face interviews to gather data from a purposely selected cohort. Professionally transcribed responses were thematically analysed. Results: The role of the research facilitator emerged as comprising two main themes: 1) Facilitating the research process and 2) Engaging expert clinicians as novice researchers. Pragmatically, analysis of data led to the development of a table outlining the responsibilities, skills and attributes related to each theme. Conceptually, theme 1 encapsulates the Research Facilitators’ skills and experience and their role as knowledge brokers and co-creators of knowledge. Theme 2 provides insight to the clinician-centric approach the RFs utilised to build and foster relationships and support the clinicians through their research journey. Conclusion: This study reports on the characteristics of the research facilitator role in a research capacity building (RCB) program in one regional health service district in Australia and explains how the role fosters clinicians’ engagement with the research process. Findings from this study will inform the development of future RCB programs, which is important when you consider that clinicians’ increased engagement with the research process is vital for developing a sound evidence base to support decision-making in practice and leads to higher levels of skills and greater ability to perform useful research.