Facilitators for and barriers to radiography research in public healthcare in Nordic countries

Introduction:It has been suggested that the future of diagnostic imaging relies on engagement inresearch and evidence-based practice. This implies a role transition from a clinical radiographer to aclinical radiographer-researcher. Clinical radiographers’stimuli for engaging in research in Nordiccountries are unknown. This study aimed to address this gap.Methods:Cross-sectional data collection via an online questionnaire on facilitators for and barriers toparticipation in radiography research was carried out among 507 clinical radiographers in publichealthcare in the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.Results:Support from colleagues (odds ratio [OR] 2.62) and other professionals (OR 2.74), and self-esteem in research skills (OR2.21), were facilitators for radiography research. Lack of knowledgeand skills to conduct research (OR 2.48) was revealed to hinder radiographers’participation in research.The absence of a radiography research culture in the workplace explained non-participation in research(OR 1.75).Conclusion:This study revealed significant factors for clinical radiographers’participation in research.Implications for practice:A strategy for establishing a radiography research culture in healthcare isproposed that is novel for the context. Management support for knowledge development and activityleading to inter-professional research projects across knowledgefields, provision of a radiographyresearch lead and acknowledgement of radiography research among colleagues signify the establishmentof the culture. These prerequisites might provide a paradigm change towards not only the symbiosis of aclinical radiographer and an autonomous researcher but also a partner who adds radiography research toevidence-based practice in diagnostic imaging.