Perceptions and Motivation Regarding Performing Research in Physicians Specializing in Care for Older Adults Involved in a Mandatory Evidence-Based Medicine Training Study: A Mixed-Methods Study
Dove Medical Press (Taylor and Francis Group)
Abstract
Jenny T van der Steen,1,2 Wing H Tong,1,3 Janneke Groothuijse,1 Belinda WC Ommering4 1Department of Public Health and Primary Care (PHEG), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands; 2Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; 3Argos Zorggroep “DrieMaasStede”, Center for Specialized Geriatric Care, Schiedam, the Netherlands; 4Center for Innovation in Medical Education, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the NetherlandsCorrespondence: Jenny T van der Steen, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Department of Public Health and Primary Care (PHEG), Building 3, Hippocratespad 21, PO Box 9600, Leiden, 2300 RC, the Netherlands, Email jtvandersteen@lumc.nlPurpose: Evidence underpinning treatment of older persons with complex conditions is often sparse, and involving more early career physicians committed to optimizing care for older adults may help increase a relevant evidence base. We examined perception of and motivation to conduct research in physicians (residents) specializing in care of older adults.Subjects and Methods: Residents of an academic medical centre in the Netherlands enrolled in a 3-year training programme. The programme includes a mandatory evidence-based medicine (EBM) training study on pain and discomfort in cognitively impaired nursing home patients, in which residents perform their research over the 3-year duration of the programme. We employed a mixed-methods design with survey and qualitative interviews (December 2019–April 2020). The survey included validated scales with agreement response options rated 1– 7. Qualitative interviews were underpinned by interpretative phenomenological analysis.Results: Of 38 invited residents, 23 (15 females) participated. The mean score on perceptions of research was 4.1 (SD 0.8); on intrinsic motivation 4.8 (SD 1.0); on extrinsic motivation 4.3, with a higher SD of 1.4. Eight interviews also showed diversity in the extent to which residents felt equipped to conduct the mandatory EBM training study, and research more generally, which was related to previous experiences performing research. The residents generally did not anticipate conducting research themselves despite recognizing the benefits of training in research.Conclusion: Perceptions and motivation of the residents specializing in care of older people to conduct research, although considered relevant to their practice, were not very positive. The study results in recommendations to motivate physicians in geriatrics training to conduct research, eg through personalized boosting of self-efficacy. This is crucial to motivate future physicians to contribute to research relevant to older people in more ways than just delivering data for research conceived by (non-clinical) researchers.Keywords: nursing home, medical education, core competences, curriculum, research activities
Authors 4
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Leiden University Medical Center · Radboud University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
Department of Public Health and Primary Care (PHEG), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Argos Zorggroep “DrieMaasStede”, Center for Specialized Geriatric Care, Schiedam, the Netherlands
Department of Public Health and Primary Care (PHEG), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Department of Public Health and Primary Care (PHEG), Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center
Affiliation as printed
Center for Innovation in Medical Education, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, the Netherlands