E Saukko1, B T Andersson2, A Bolejko3, J Debess4, K Fridell5, A Henner6, B R Mussmann7, A Sanderud8. 1. Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland. Electronic address: ekaterina.saukko@tyks.fi. 2. Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Electronic address: bodil-t.andersson@med.lu.se. 3. Department of Translational Medicine, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden; Medical Imaging and Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. Electronic address: anetta.bolejko@med.lu.se. 4. University College of Northern Jutland, Aalborg, Denmark. Electronic address: Jed@ucn.dk. 5. Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Electronic address: kent.fridell@ki.se. 6. School of Health and Social Care, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, Oulu, Finland. Electronic address: anja.henner@gmail.com. 7. Research and Innovation Unit of Radiology, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Department of Life Sciences and Health, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: bo.mussmann@rsyd.dk. 8. Department of Life Sciences and Health, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: asande@oslomet.no.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Radiographers' engagement in research is important for the development of evidence-based practice in radiography; however, radiographers' interest in research has rarely been reported. This study sought to ascertain radiographers' opinions about radiography research and investigate their involvement in research activities in four Nordic countries. METHODS: This study was conducted in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. A study-specific questionnaire was developed in English and adapted to each language of the study sample, and the content and face validity of the adaptations were evaluated. An online tool was used to collect the study data. The questionnaire link was distributed in September 2019 to radiographers working in clinical settings in four Nordic countries (n = 4572). RESULTS: The overall response rate was 14% (n = 662/4572). Research involvement was reported by 33% of the respondents; data collection was the main type of contribution. Radiographers who contributed to research were more likely to be male, have longer work experience, hold a master's or doctoral degree, work as managers and be employed in university hospitals. Nearly all agreed that radiography research is needed to promote the radiography profession and provide the evidence base for radiographic practice. However, only 14% were aware of the current research evidence regarding their professional field of specialisation, and 19% indicated that they developed current practices based on research evidence. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that, although radiographers had positive attitudes towards radiography research, their involvement in research and utilisation of research evidence in practice is low. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Strategies should be developed to improve knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and stimulate radiographers' engagement in research.
INTRODUCTION: Radiographers' engagement in research is important for the development of evidence-based practice in radiography; however, radiographers' interest in research has rarely been reported. This study sought to ascertain radiographers' opinions about radiography research and investigate their involvement in research activities in four Nordic countries. METHODS: This study was conducted in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. A study-specific questionnaire was developed in English and adapted to each language of the study sample, and the content and face validity of the adaptations were evaluated. An online tool was used to collect the study data. The questionnaire link was distributed in September 2019 to radiographers working in clinical settings in four Nordic countries (n = 4572). RESULTS: The overall response rate was 14% (n = 662/4572). Research involvement was reported by 33% of the respondents; data collection was the main type of contribution. Radiographers who contributed to research were more likely to be male, have longer work experience, hold a master's or doctoral degree, work as managers and be employed in university hospitals. Nearly all agreed that radiography research is needed to promote the radiography profession and provide the evidence base for radiographic practice. However, only 14% were aware of the current research evidence regarding their professional field of specialisation, and 19% indicated that they developed current practices based on research evidence. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that, although radiographers had positive attitudes towards radiography research, their involvement in research and utilisation of research evidence in practice is low. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Strategies should be developed to improve knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and stimulate radiographers' engagement in research.