title: Creating an interest in research and development as a means of reducing the gap between theory and practice in primary care: an interventional study based on strategic communication.
abstract: Today, healthcare professionals are faced with the challenge of implementing research results in an optimal way. It is therefore important to create a climate that is conducive to research and development (R&amp;D). For this reason, new strategies are required to enhance healthcare professionals' interest in innovative thinking and R&amp;D. Strategic communication with roots in sociology, psychology and political science was employed as a means of achieving long-term behavioural change. The aim of this study was to describe, follow up and evaluate a primary care intervention based on strategic communication intended to increase healthcare professionals' interest in R&amp;D over time. An interventional cohort study comprising all staff members (N = 1276) in a Swedish primary care area was initiated in 1997 and continued for 12 years. The intention to engage in R&amp;D was measured on two occasions; at 7 and 12 years. Both descriptive statistics and bivariate analyses were employed. The results demonstrated that the positive attitude to R&amp;D increased over time, representing a first step towards new thinking and willingness to change work practices for the benefit of the patient. Strategic communication has not been previously employed as a scientific tool to create a long-term interest in R&amp;D within primary care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development, Halland Hospital Halmstad, Region Halland, SE-301 80 Halmstad, Sweden. helena.mortenius@regionhalland.se.
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morténius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden