Evaluating the introduction of an allied health clinical research office at a health service: effects on research participation, interest, and experience of allied health professionals

Following the introduction of an allied health clinical research office at a large metropolitan health service, we aimed to measure change in self-reported research participation, interest and experience of allied health professionals. Methods: Allied health professionals were surveyed using the Research Spider tool in 2015 (n=245), and the results were compared to a similar survey completed in 2007 at the same health service (n=132). Results: Overall, allied health professionals rated themselves as having "some research interest" and "little research experience," with no significant difference from 2007 to 2015. Allied health professionals with at least some research interest reported increased experience in critically reviewing literature (p=0.045) and finding relevant literature (p=0.009) and a trend to increased experience of publishing research (p=0.059) in 2015 compared with 2007. The proportion of allied health professionals who classified themselves as participating in research had increased from 41% in 2007 to 51% in 2015 (p=0.028). Conclusions: The introduction of an allied health clinical research office has been associated with increased participation in research with some improvements in research experience for those with at least some interest in research. Despite these positive changes, most allied health professionals at this health service still report little research experience and only some interest in research.