Professional networks for research and practice change in Allied Health professions in public health

Abstract

Abstract This study aimed to describe professional networks relating to the research and practice change activities of allied health professionals (AHPs) within the public healthcare system of Victoria, Australia. Using a mixed methods cross-sectional approach, survey data were collected from 299 AHPs in metropolitan, regional and rural healthcare services. AHPs are mostly not engaged with research and practice change networks, with less than half (n=123, 41%) identifying key contacts for either activity. Participants’ key contacts in professional networks were typically from the same discipline, healthcare service and local area, although networking for practice change involved more contacts from other disciplines and workplaces compared to research networks. Most contacts (86%) were related to either research or practice change only, suggesting largely separate networks. Collaboration drives research and practice change networks, with research contacts often arising from formal research collaborations that provided opportunities for individual research participation and skill development. In contrast, practice change contacts facilitated discussion of ideas, relationships with clinical teams, and workforce development activities. The limited diversity in professional networks may be a barrier to multidisciplinary research and practice change. Better collaboration between different types of professional networks may help close the ‘research to practice’ gap.