Abstract
Abstract Background: Research facilitation (RF)
positions are a developing workforce in health services. The aim of this
review was to explore literature on the role and impact of these
positions. Methods: A scoping review was conducted using
three inclusion criteria. 1. Population: Articles about RF positions; 2.
Concept: Articles that describe the roles and duties of RF positions,
and/or report how their impact is evaluated; 3. Context: RF positions
employed by, or have a significant role within, health services.
Medline, EMBASE and CINAHL electronic databases were searched in June
2022 for records from 2000-present. Full text articles published in
English were included. Data were extracted regarding the structure,
responsibilities, and evaluation of RF positions.
Results : Eighteen articles were included,
representing 86 RF positions. Most positions were orientated to support
nursing or allied health research. Position titles and structure varied
widely. Whilst key responsibilities were highly heterogeneous, almost
all included providing direct support to health service staff to engage
in research, and many included facilitating research education. A range
of measures were used to evaluate RF positions, with traditional
academic outputs such as publications and grants most frequent.
Quantitative evidence of the impact of RF positions was weak, though
positive. Qualitative evaluations revealed the important role of RF
positions in research capacity and evidence-based practice.
Conclusion: RF positions provided a wide variety of
supports to clinicians and health services. While there is some positive
evidence of the value of RF positions, further research is needed on
their structure and outcomes.