How blogs support the transfer of knowledge into practice in the field of dementia palliative care: a survey of facilitators and barriers

Aphie Rukundo, Siobhan Fox, Suzanne Guerin, George Kernohan, Jonathan Drennan, Niamh O'Connor, Suzanne Timmons

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Abstract

Background: Blogging can help to maximise the impact of one’s work in academia and beyond by making research findings accessible for multiple knowledge users, such as healthcare professionals and the public, as well as other researchers. As part of the knowledge exchange and dissemination activities of the Model for Dementia Palliative Care Project, this study explored stakeholders’ views of blogs as a means to translate research findings. Methods: A web-based survey was developed, piloted, and revised. It was distributed electronically via key dementia and palliative care organisations websites, newsletters, social media platforms, and within the staff mailing lists of five Universities in Ireland. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. Results: Complete responses were received from 128 participants. The majority of respondents were healthcare researchers (n = 53), followed by healthcare providers (n = 46). The preferred methods of reviewing research findings were scientific papers, websites and news articles. Respondents read healthcare blogs “sometimes” (39.1%), with < 19% reading them “often” or “very often”. Receiving an email notification might increase the likelihood of reading a new blog post for 83% of respondents. Barriers to engaging with blogs included lack of time, preference for other media, lack of awareness regarding available blogs, and concerns about the credibility and source of information. An appropriate length and the author of the blog were key features that encouraged engagement with a blog. Conclusions: Despite respondents choosing a scientific paper as their preferred method to consume research findings, many indicated an openness to reading blogs on their area of interest. Creating concise, relevant, and credible blogs, and suitably promoting them, could increase the impact and reach of healthcare research, such as in the emerging field of dementia palliative care, and thus promote translation of research findings into practice.

Original languageEnglish
Article number117
Pages (from-to)1-9
Number of pages9
JournalBMC Palliative Care
Volume21
Issue number1
Early online date1 Jul 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished online - 1 Jul 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This study was funded by the Health Research Board grant reference KEDS-2018–24. The funding body had no role in the design of the study, data analysis, or in writing of this manuscript.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).

Keywords

  • Dementia - therapy
  • Hospice and Palliative Care Nursing
  • Humans
  • Blogs
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Dementia
  • Palliative Care
  • Education
  • Blogging
  • Dissemination
  • Social Media
  • Knowledge Transfer

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