Abstract
Background: Capacity building in health promotion has traditionally involved training interventions to support knowledge, skill and resource building for effective practice. However, there is a need to understand how research can be used to support capacity building and practice.
Methods: Findings are based on a parallel case study comprising qualitative analysis of 66 key informant interviews from five provincial heart health projects (Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador) as part of the Canadian Heart Health Dissemination Project.
Findings: Results indicate research was used primarily to monitor and report results about health promotion capacity and dissemination to stakeholders, and contribute to participatory processes. Respondents noted that research as intervention had an influence on five areas of health promotion capacity and practice: increased heart health promotion knowledge/skills; improved programming, planning and prioritizing; increased motivation for (heart) health promotion initiatives; and cultivation of relationships as well as buy-in.
Interpretation: Research was a complementary capacity-building activity, although it did not directly increase program implementation. These findings contribute to linking researchers, practitioners and community decision-makers in the process of enhancing health promotion practice.
MeSH terms: Research activities, intervention studies, ability, health promotion
Résumé
Contexte: Le renforcement des capacités de promotion de la santé implique souvent des mesures de formation qui favorisent l’acquisition des connaissances, des habiletés et des ressources nécessaires dans l’exercice de la profession. Toutefois, on ne comprend pas suffisamment comment la recherche peut appuyer le renforcement des capacités et la pratique professionnelle.
Méthode: Nos constatations reposent sur une étude de cas parallèles comprenant une analyse qualitative de 66 entretiens avec les informateurs clés de cinq projets provinciaux sur la santé cardiovasculaire (Manitoba, Île-du-Prince-Édouard, Ontario, Saskatchewan et Terre-Neuve-et- Labrador) dans le cadre d’un projet pancanadien de diffusion d’information sur la santé cardiovasculaire (Canadian Heart Health Dissemination Project).
Constatations: La recherche sert principalement au contrôle et au compte-rendu des résultats sur les capacités de promotion de la santé et sur la diffusion de l’information sanitaire aux intervenants, ainsi qu’à alimenter les processus participatifs. Les répondants ont indiqué que la recherche en tant que mesure d’intervention avait influencé cinq aspects de leurs habiletés et de leurs pratiques de promotion de la santé: elle avait amélioré les connaissances et les habiletés en matière de promotion de la santé cardiovasculaire; amélioré la programmation, la planification et l’établissement des priorités; accru la motivation à mener des initiatives de promotion de la santé (cardiovasculaire); en plus de cultiver les relations et de rallier les intéressés.
Interprétation: La recherche était une activité de renforcement des capacités complémentaire, mais elle n’a pas directement accru la mise en oeuvre des programmes. Ces constatations confirment l’utilité de relier les chercheurs, les praticiens et les décideurs communautaires lorsqu’on veut améliorer les pratiques de promotion de la santé.
Footnotes
On behalf of the CHHDP Investigative Team, Strategic and Research Advisory Groups. Investigative Team: Susan Elliott, Jennifer O’Loughlin, John Eyles, Roy Cameron, Dexter Harvey, Kerry Robinson. Strategic Advisory Group: Deborah Bradley, Catherine Donovan, Brenda Perkins, Scott McLean, Kelly McQuillen, Patti-Jean Naylor, Gilles Paradis, Kim Raine. Research Advisory Group: Lori Ebbesen, Ken Fowler, Ernest Khalema, Viviane Leaune, Murray McKay, Olive Moase, Barb Riley
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