title: Practice-based Research Program Promotes Dietitians' Participation in Research.
abstract: Barriers to dietitians' participation in research include lack of time, self-perceived competence, confidence, administrative support, and funding. Providence Health Care, a multi-site health care organization in Vancouver, British Columbia implemented the Practice-based Research Challenge (RC), a 1-year research program, to support interdisciplinary teams of nurses and allied health professionals to conduct practice-relevant research projects. Funding, mentoring, and research education were provided to research teams. From 2011 to 2015, 37% of all dietitians in the organization were involved in the RC in 4 cohorts of the 1-year program. An online survey was conducted to understand these dietitians' interest and experience in the RC. The survey results indicated that the major reasons for participating in the program were to increase knowledge, improve patient care, and to work on a project of interest. Respondents thought they gained knowledge, enhanced professional development, and improved patient care. A majority stated they would likely conduct future research. The RC enabled and supported dietitians' participation in research; infrastructure supports for research and enabling a culture of research participation are key contributors to promoting dietitians involvement in research.
authors.affiliation: a Clinical Nutrition, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Frances
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: b Professional Practice Office, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Agnes T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Black
authors.affiliation: a Clinical Nutrition, Providence Health Care, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Jiak Chin
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Koh
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D001955:British Columbia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004046:Dietetics; D004522:Educational Status; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses; D064686:Nutritionists; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires