Hanney S, Boaz A, Jones T, Soper B
Health Services and Delivery Research October 2013;1(8)
- There is a widely held assumption that research engagement improves health-care performance at various levels, but little direct empirical evidence. This research aims to map and explore plausible mechanisms through which research engagement might improve health services performance.
- Drawing on the focused and wider reviews, it is suggested that when clinicians and health-care organisations engage in research there is the likelihood of a positive impact on health-care performance. Organisations that have deliberately integrated the research function into organisational structures demonstrate how research engagement can, among other factors, contribute to improved health-care performance
- Of the 33 papers in the focused review, 28 were positive (of which six were positive/mixed) in relation to the question of whether or not research engagement improves health-care performance. Five papers were negative (of which two were negative/mixed). Seven out of 28 positive papers reported some improvement in health outcomes. For the rest, the improved care took the form of improved processes of care.
