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Health Research Policy and Systems
Published in: Health Research Policy and Systems 1/2012

Open Access 01-12-2012 | Research

Looking for interaction: quantitative measurement of research utilization by Dutch local health officials

Authors: Joyce de Goede, Marja JH van Bon-Martens, Jolanda JP Mathijssen, Kim Putters, Hans AM van Oers

Published in: Health Research Policy and Systems | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Background

In the Netherlands, local authorities are required by law to develop local health memoranda, based on epidemiological analyses. The purpose of this study was to assess the actual use of these epidemiological reports by municipal health officials and associated factors that affect this use.

Method

Based on a conceptual framework, we designed a questionnaire in which we operationalized instrumental, conceptual, and symbolic use, the interaction between researchers and local health officials, and four clusters of barriers in this interaction process. We conducted an internet survey among 155 Dutch local health officials representing 35% of all Dutch municipalities. By means of multiple regression analyses, we gained insight into the related factors for each of the three types of research utilization.

Results

The results show that local health officials use epidemiological research more often in a conceptual than an instrumental or symbolic way. This can be explained by the complexity of the local policy process which is often linked to policies in other areas, and the various policy actors involved. Conceptual use was statistically associated with a presentation given by the epidemiologist during the policy process, the presence of obstructions regarding the report's accessibility, and the local official's personal belief systems and interests originating from different professional values and responsibilities. Instrumental and symbolic use increased with the involvement of local officials in the research process.

Conclusions

The results of this study provide a partial solution to understanding and influencing research utilization. The quantitative approach underpins earlier qualitative findings on this topic. The outcomes suggest that RPHS epidemiologists can use different strategies to improve research utilization. 'Blurring the boundaries', and the enhancement of interfaces between epidemiologists and local health officials, like direct interactions into each other's work processes, is expected to create better possibilities for optimizing research use.
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Metadata
Title
Looking for interaction: quantitative measurement of research utilization by Dutch local health officials
Authors
Joyce de Goede
Marja JH van Bon-Martens
Jolanda JP Mathijssen
Kim Putters
Hans AM van Oers
Publication date
01-12-2012
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health Research Policy and Systems / Issue 1/2012
Electronic ISSN: 1478-4505
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1478-4505-10-9

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