Factors influencing junior doctor workplace engagement in research: An Australian study

Dana T Y Phang; Gary D Rogers; Fahid Hashem; Siddharth Sharma; Christy Noble

doi:10.11157/fohpe.v21i1.299

Authors

Dana T Y Phang Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
Gary D Rogers Griffith University
Fahid Hashem Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
Siddharth Sharma Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service
Christy Noble Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11157/fohpe.v21i1.299

Keywords:

junior doctor, research, workplace learning, residents

Abstract

Introduction: Engaging junior doctors in research can contribute to improved health outcomes, but there is a lack of guidance on how best to support junior doctor research engagement through their workplace experiences. This study aims to identify factors influencing Australian junior doctors’ workplace engagement in research and inform recommendations for building research capacity.

Methods: This qualitative interview study, using convenience sampling, explored junior doctors’ perceptions and experiences of research engagement. Seventeen junior doctors working at an Australian teaching hospital were interviewed. Data were analysed using the framework method, informed by workplace learning theory.

Results: Junior doctors found it challenging to engage in research activities and attributed this to the lack of a practice-based curriculum to sequence their learning. They described an absence of workplace affordances for research engagement, including time, research-active clinician mentors and accessible projects. Whilst career progression was one motivator for research engagement, a key motivator was engaging in research contributing to patient care.

Conclusions: The findings suggested that absence of practice-based curriculum, mentor guidance and engagement in meaningful research activities hampered research engagement. These findings may inform junior doctor research development programs in acute healthcare organisations.

Author Biographies

Dana T Y Phang, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service

Dana T. Y. Phang is Resident Medical Officer, Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital; Associate Lecturer, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Australia.

Gary D Rogers, Griffith University

Gary D. Rogers is Professor of Medical Education, Deputy Head (Learning & Teaching) of the School of Medicine, and Program Lead for Interprofessional and Simulation-Based Learning in the Health Institute for the Development of Education and Scholarship, Griffith University, Australia.

Fahid Hashem, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service

Fahid Hashem is Staff Specialist (Endocrinology), Gold Coast Health and Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Australia.

Siddharth Sharma, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service

Siddharth Sharma is A/Director of Internal Medicine, Gold Coast Health, and Network Training Coordinator for Queensland Physician Training Network, and Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Griffith University, Australia.

Christy Noble, Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service

Christy Noble is Principal Medical Education Officer and Principal Research Fellow (Allied Health), Gold Coast Health; Senior Lecturer, School of Medicine, Griffith University; Senior Lecturer, School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Australia.

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