Factors Influencing the Uptake of Canadian Research Findings into the Care of Children with Arthritis: A Healthcare Provider Perspective.

OBJECTIVE

To determine barriers and facilitators to the uptake of findings from the Research in Arthritis in Canadian Children emphasizing Outcomes (ReACCh-Out) study into clinical care by pediatric rheumatologists (PR) and allied health professionals (AHP) caring for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in Canada.

METHODS

PR and AHP participated in this qualitative study through telephone interviews. Interview guides were developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework and focused on the use of information from the ReACCh-Out study in the practice of counseling patients and families. A directed content analysis approach was used for coding.

RESULTS

Nineteen interviews (8 PR and 11 AHP) were completed. All PR had knowledge of the ReACCh-Out study. Three major themes were identified: (1) both groups are motivated to use information from research in clinical care; (2) volume and emotional effect of information on families are barriers; and (3) specific timepoints in care trigger providing this information. AHP had less knowledge of the ReACCh-Out study, did not feel it was their primary role to provide this information, and have a desire for more opportunity to participate in academic forums related to research.

CONCLUSION

We have described a comprehensive overview of the barriers and facilitators perceived by healthcare providers in the translation of knowledge from JIA research into use in clinical practice. These findings provide a foundation for the development of knowledge translation strategies in the care of children with JIA and other rheumatic diseases.