Research motivators, barriers and progress of allied health clinicians engaged in an Allied Health Research Clinic. An observational study

Background Embedding evidence-based practice (EBP) into healthcare is essential to improving patient outcomes and workforce sustainability. Building research capacity among allied health professionals is a key strategy for strengthening EBP and fostering a culture of inquiry in clinical settings. The aim of this study was to understand the experiences and outcomes of allied health professionals who accessed research support through a newly developed research clinic, including their research capacity, motivators, barriers, and research activity over time. Methods A prospective observational cohort design was employed, targeting AH professionals at a major metropolitan public health service in Melbourne, Australia. AH Clinicians with an interest in research self-registered for assistance through a structured research clinic. Baseline and six-month follow-up surveys assessed research capacity using the Research Capacity and Culture (RCC) tool and documented research activities, motivators, and barriers. Multivariable binomial logistic regression analysed the influence of gender and seniority on research motivators, barriers, and progression. Results Between January 2020 and August 2023, 43 AH professionals registered for the clinic. Most were women (67.4%), with a mean age of 35.2 years and average of 11.4 years’ clinical experience. The cohort was discipline diverse, with physiotherapists (41.9%) the largest group. Over half (53.5%) were junior staff, and 37.2% held postgraduate qualifications. At baseline, participants reported higher confidence in literature searching and critical appraisal, and lower confidence with grant writing, ethics submissions, and academic publication. Top motivators included skill development (91%) and solving practical problems (70%) while the main barriers were competing priorities (74%) and lack of time (70%). At six months, 73.5% of participants reported progress in their research, with senior staff being significantly more likely to advance their projects compared to junior staff (OR 9.60, 95% CI 1.40 to 195.70, p = 0.049). Conclusion Addressing barriers such as time constraints and providing tailored mentorship are important for fostering a sustainable research culture in AH settings. Future efforts should focus on creating dedicated time for research and enhancing support systems to further integrate research into clinical practice.