Enablers and barriers to engaging under-served groups in research: Survey of the United Kingdom research professional’s views

Coe, Dorothy; Bigirumurame, Theophile; Burgess, Mark; Rouse, John; Wroe, Caroline

doi:10.3310/nihropenres.13434.1

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Data was collected from 945 fully completed and submitted survey responses. All respondents confirmed they were happy to complete the survey 34 . Responses were received from all geographical areas of the UK.…”

Section: Demographicsmentioning

confidence: 84%

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Enablers and barriers to engaging under-served groups in research: Survey of the United Kingdom research professional’s views

Coe,

Bigirumurame,

Burgess

et al. 2023

NIHR Open Res

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Background There is a known lack of diversity in research participant populations. This impacts on the generalisability of findings and affects clinician prescribing. In the United Kingdom the research community defines those who are underrepresented as under-served. They are commonly those affected by health inequality and disparity. The notion of under-served is complex, with numerous papers identifying multiple factors that contribute to being under-served and in turn suggesting many strategies to improve engagement. Methods Research professionals in the UK were invited to complete an online survey. The broad aim was to explore their views on under-served groups. The findings were analysed using statistical and qualitative methods to identify enablers and barriers to engaging the under-served. Descriptive statistics were utilised with associations compared univariately by chi-square test and logistic regression for multivariable analysis. Results A total of 945 completed responses were received. Those identified as under-served in this study reflected the previous body of works with a broader descriptor of ethnic and cultural minorities and the addition of adolescents and young adults. Language and literacy skills had the most impact on being under-served. Only 13% of respondents said they felt equipped to meet the needs of the under-served. The main strategy to increase diversity was community engagement and movement of research delivery into the community. The barriers were funding and time. Training needs identified were linked to community engagement, cultural competence and consent processes. Conclusions The UK findings from research professionals reflected the previous literature. Adolescents and young people were added to those identified as under-served. Enablers included community outreach and improvement to communication. Barriers were time, funding, organisational processes and lack of focus. Issues were identified with translation and interpretation services. Training requirements focus on methodologies and methods to engage and the consent processes of those from under-served groups.

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Section: Demographicsmentioning

confidence: 84%

“…Feedback from peers was discussed and acted upon and there was one further round of revisions. A copy of the survey is available 34 .…”

Section: Survey Developmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enablers and barriers to engaging under-served groups in research: Survey of the United Kingdom research professional’s views

Coe,

Bigirumurame,

Burgess

et al. 2023

NIHR Open Res

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Exploring How Patients Are Supported to Use Online Services in Primary Care in England Through “Digital Facilitation”: Survey Study (Preprint)

Winder,

Campbell,

Akter

et al. 2024

Preprint

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BACKGROUND Health service policy in many jurisdictions is driving greater investment into digital primary care services. While some patients and practices may benefit, there are concerns that not all are able or wish to access primary care services online. “Digital facilitation” is the “range of processes, procedures, and personnel seeking to support patients in their uptake and use of online services” and may address such concerns. OBJECTIVE As part of a multimethod research program, we undertook surveys of practice staff and patients to gain insight into the support being offered by practices and explore patients’ experiences of this support. METHODS General practices from 4 regions of England were sent a questionnaire exploring the modes of digital facilitation offered, the personnel involved in its delivery, and views on the motivations and drivers for providing support. Moreover, 12,822 patients registered with 62 general practices (predominantly those providing practice survey responses) were sent a questionnaire exploring their experiences of any support offered by their practice to use online services. RESULTS Almost one-third of practices (156/500, 31.2%) responded to the practice survey, with most reporting using passive modes of digital facilitation (eg, display, leaflets, and SMS text messages) and few using active modes (eg, offering tablets or computers or using practice champions). However, 90.9% (130/143) reported providing ad hoc support. Practices agreed that it was the responsibility of both the practice (105/144, 72.9%) and the wider National Health Service (118/143, 82.5%) to support patients in using online services and that providing such support benefited the practice (126/144, 87.5%) and their patients (132/144, 91.7%). Nearly a quarter of the patients (3051/12,822, 23.8%) responded to the patient survey, with few (522/3051, 17.11% or less) reporting awareness of any modes of digital facilitation apart from text messages and emails (1205/3051, 39.5%) and only 13.36% (392/2935) reporting receiving support to use online services. Adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that older patients had a lower likelihood of 4 outcomes: being aware of, or of using, digital facilitation efforts, or being told about or being helped to use online services (all <i>P</i><.05), particularly with regard to being helped to use online services (adjusted odds ratio for patients aged 85 years versus those aged 55-64 years: 0.08, 95% CI 0.02-0.36). However, ethnic minority participants or those for whom their first language was not English had positive associations with these outcomes. CONCLUSIONS General practices recognize that patients would benefit from support to access online services. However, the support provided is often passive or ad hoc, and patients were seldom aware of digital facilitation efforts that their practice provided. There is potential to increase engagement with online primary care services by providing more support for all patients, particularly to provide targeted support for older patients.

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Enablers and barriers to engaging under-served groups in research: Survey of the United Kingdom research professional’s views

Cited by 2 publications

References 36 publications

Enablers and barriers to engaging under-served groups in research: Survey of the United Kingdom research professional’s views

Enablers and barriers to engaging under-served groups in research: Survey of the United Kingdom research professional’s views

Exploring How Patients Are Supported to Use Online Services in Primary Care in England Through “Digital Facilitation”: Survey Study (Preprint)

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