- 作者：Irene Ilott ; Tracy Bury
- 关键词：Research capacity ; policy ; physiotherapy ; occupational therapy ; speech and language therapy
- 刊名：Physiotherapy
- 出版年：2002
- 出版时间：April 2002
- 年：2002
- 卷：88
- 期：4
- 页码：194-200
- 全文大小：106 K
Method
A Register of Therapy Researchers was first established in 1997 and updated in 1999. The database was funded by the Department of Health. All 55,000 members of the professional bodies, namely the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the College of Occupational Therapists, were invited to submit entries via self-completion questionnaires. The data from the two versions were compared to map developments in the research workforce profile of these professions across the United Kingdom.
Results
There were 339 entries on version 1 (1997) of the register, which increased to 624 in version 2 (1999). The register shows an upward drift in qualifications with nearly twice as many therapists with research degrees in 1999. The majority were based in England, with most in London (n = 104, 21.5 % ) and fewest in the Eastern Region (n = 20, 4.1 % ). A total of 97 therapists had been lead grant holders for national or international research programmes/projects. Based on a self-definition, 96 therapists (15.4 % ) identified themselves as R&D leaders. Seventy-six had experience as members of research ethics committees and 51 had experience of national R&D committees.
Conclusions
Developing, supporting and sustaining research capacity among all practitioners, whether as research consumers or leaders, is an essential element of evidence-based healthcare. A national, co-ordinated strategic approach, with targets for researchers and research centres, is required to capitalise upon the current investment in research training if the benefits, particularly from post-doctoral researchers, are to be realised. Therapists are in a position to make a valuable and active contribution to the national R&D agenda.