Research
Conservation of resources theory and research use in health systems
1 Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre, Faculty of Health Professions, Dalhousie University, Canada
2 Bridgepoint Collaboratory for Research and Innovation, Bridgepoint Health, University of Toronto; Atlantic Health Promotion Research Centre, Dalhousie University, Canada
3 School of Occupational Therapy, Dalhousie University, Canada
4 Department of Behavioral Sciences at Rush University and Medical College, USA
5 Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, Department of Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Canada
6 Institute of Population Health, Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada
7 UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, School of Public Health, University of California, USA
Implementation Science 2010, 5:79 doi:10.1186/1748-5908-5-79
Published: 20 October 2010Abstract
Background
Health systems face challenges in using research evidence to improve policy and practice. These challenges are particularly evident in small and poorly resourced health systems, which are often in locations (in Canada and globally) with poorer health status. Although organizational resources have been acknowledged as important in understanding research use resource theories have not been a focus of knowledge translation (KT) research. What resources, broadly defined, are required for KT and how does their presence or absence influence research use?
In this paper, we consider conservation of resources (COR) theory as a theoretical basis for understanding the capacity to use research evidence in health systems. Three components of COR theory are examined in the context of KT. First, resources are required for research uptake. Second, threat of resource loss fosters resistance to research use. Third, resources can be optimized, even in resource-challenged environments, to build capacity for KT.
Methods
A scan of the KT literature examined organizational resources needed for research use. A multiple case study approach examined the three components of COR theory outlined above. The multiple case study consisted of a document review and key informant interviews with research team members, including government decision-makers and health practitioners through a retrospective analysis of four previously conducted applied health research studies in a resource-challenged region.
Results
The literature scan identified organizational resources that influence research use. The multiple case study supported these findings, contributed to the development of a taxonomy of organizational resources, and revealed how fears concerning resource loss can affect research use. Some resources were found to compensate for other resource deficits. Resource needs differed at various stages in the research use process.
Conclusions
COR theory contributes to understanding the role of resources in research use, resistance to research use, and potential strategies to enhance research use. Resources (and a lack of them) may account for the observed disparities in research uptake across health systems. This paper offers a theoretical foundation to guide further examination of the COR-KT ideas and necessary supports for research use in resource-challenged environments.
