title: The utilization of knowledge of and interest in research and development among primary care staff by means of strategic communication - a staff cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The obvious gap between evidence and practice in health care is unfavourable for patient care and requires the promotion of a scientific attitude among health care professionals. The aim of the present study was to determine the utilization of knowledge of and interest in research and development among primary care staff by means of a strategic communication process.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort consisting of primary care staff (n = 1276) was designed and strategic communication was utilized as a platform over a 7-year period. Quantitative and qualitative methods were taken in account.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that 97% of the staff had gained knowledge of research and development, 60% of whom remained interested in the subject. The oral communication channel was the most powerful for creating research interest. Organizational culture was a barrier to interest in science.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study demonstrates a significant increase in knowledge and interest among primary care staff as a result of a strategic communication process.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Strategic communication should lead to a more evenly distributed research commitment among all health care professionals, thus facilitating communication between them and patients in order to clarify, for example, the causes of disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, County Council of Halland, Halmstad, Sweden. helena.mortenius@regionhalland.se
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morténius
authors.forename: Bertil
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marklund
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Palm
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fridlund
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baigi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden