1.Attitudes, barriers and facilitators to the conduct of research in government hospitals: a cross-sectional study among specialists in government hospitals, northern states of Malaysia
Teh Lei Choo ; Prema Muninathan ; Choy Mun Pung ; G.R. Letchuman Ramanathan
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2017;72(1):26-31
Introduction: Specialists constitute a major ‘driving force’
and catalyst for growth of research in their speciality. A
clearer understanding is required as to what motivates their
participation in research as well as the barriers they faced.
This research aims to study the attitudes, barriers and
facilitators faced by specialists and to identify strategies to
promote and sustain research activities in their hospitals.
Methodology: A cross-sectional survey using selfadministered
questionnaires was conducted among all
specialists working in government specialist hospitals in the
northern states of Malaysia.
Results: Out of 733 questionnaires distributed, 467 were
returned giving a response rate of 63.7%. Ninety-nine
percent of the respondents believed that research benefits
patients while 93.3% think research helps in their
professional development. However, 34.8% think that under
their present working conditions, it is unlikely they will
participate in research. The major barriers identified were
lack of funds for research (81%); lack access to expertise,
software or statistical analysis (78.4%); interference with
daily work schedule (75.1%) and inconsistent manpower in
their department (74.2%). There are three barriers with
statistically significant difference between hospitals with
CRC compared to hospitals without CRC; lack of funds,
mentors and access to expertise, software or statistical
analysis. The demographic factors, attitudes and barriers
contributing to involvement in research also investigated.
The main facilitators for the conduct of research are
potential to benefit patients and potential for professional
development.
Conclusion: Taking note of the findings, the Ministry of
Health can implement appropriate strategies to improve
specialist participation in research.
Specialization
;
Attitude