A Survey of Barriers to Health Research Promotion

Background and Objectives: High performance research activity in the health domain is crucial to overcoming ever-growing health-related problems. Despite the availability of data sources, only a limited number of researchers use these data to derive health-related information. Thus, the present study aimed at exploring the barriers to research promotion as perceived by the university health research experts. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 261 health experts from Kerman University of Medical Sciences (Kermam, Iran) were selected using census method. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing questions related to personal and organizational research barriers, and summarized using descriptive statistical methods. Findings: The survey found lack of research advisors and sufficient facilities, lack of motivation, lack of expert librarians, limited budgets, and poor cooperation of internal executive units as the most important organizational barriers. In addition, limited time, heavy work overload, limited knowledge of statistics and research method, and family responsibilities were identified as the most important personal barriers. Conclusions: The wide range of barriers to research activities in health domain calls for comprehensive revision of current policies in the area of health research to boost the research activities. The diversity of the barriers identified highlights the need for a systems and holistic approach to health research promotion.