Could it be FAIT? Retrospective pilot of applying the Framework to Assess the Impact from Translational health research (FAIT) to Queensland Health’s Health Practitioner Research Scheme
Kate Aitchison1, Elizabeth McCourt2, Rachelle Pitt1 1Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer Queensland Health, Brisbane, Queensland , Australia2Clinical Pharmacology, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
Background:
The annual Queensland Health Practitioner Research Scheme (HPRS) is a key research capacity building strategy that supports clinician researchers to undertake a project relevant to practice. Funding recipients are required to report on progress and outcomes however reporting of research impact is limited. The aim of this project was to determine the feasibility of retrospectively evaluating HPRS funded projects using the Framework to Assess the Impact from Translational health research (FAIT).
Method: A rapid review of the literature identified the FAIT as a relevant and practical tool to evaluate the HPRS. A modified FAIT template was developed and piloted with 17 randomly selected HPRS projects funded between 2013 and 2019. Completed responses were analysed for quality, content and completeness.
Results: Eleven researchers completed the template however responses were often incomplete, lacking detail or of low quality. Significant variability in the format of responses was also noted (e.g. screen shots, narrative description) which was laborious to extract and analyse. Higher quality responses were provided for research impact items that were reporting requirements of the scheme (e.g. research outputs) and collected prospectively or throughout the funding period.
Discussion: Embedding the FAIT into routine administration of the HPRS is feasible however the reporting template requires modifications to reduce the response variation and burden of analysis. Prospectively planning for research impact using FAIT may also improve information quality however this requires training for researchers. A capability development strategy has been developed to support implementation of research impact reporting into routine HPRS administration.
Biography
Kate Aitchison is an allied health practitioner with 15 years’ experience in child and youth mental health services (CYMHS). Kate holds a Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy (2005) and a Master of Mental Health, psychotherapy (2013) from the University of Queensland. She is currently working as an advanced workforce officer in the Office of the Chief Allied Health Officer, Queensland Health, focusing on workforce and clinical education initiatives. Kate is concurrently undertaking doctoral research through The University of Melbourne and has received targeted support to refine a research application for a feasibility study trialling creative arts therapy in community CYMHS.