A realist evaluation of social care practitioners’ experiences with and understanding of applied healthcare research

Social care practitioners are often under-represented in research activity and output. This article presents findings from a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funded realist evaluation to understand and explain how, why, for whom, and in what contexts mental health social care practitioners engage with research. The study uses a current NIHR-funded study—REalist Synthesis Of non-pharmacologicaL interVEntions for antipsychotic-induced weight gain (RESOLVE)—as an illustrative example. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with eighteen social care practitioners (SCPs) and data were analysed using a realist logic of analysis. Our refined programme theory describes SCPs’ current knowledge and interests in research, influenced by healthcare culture; their relationships with other healthcare professionals; protected time opportunities; and tailored invitations to hear their perspectives on healthcare needs of their clients. Underpinning the programme theory are seven context-mechanism-outcome configurations that propose evidence-informed contextually-sensitive causal explanations (i.e. mechanisms) that either facilitate or impede practitioners’ engagement with research. These findings highlight the need to provide tailored support to SCPs and build collaborative relationships with academics and other research-active health professionals. Better understanding of research engagement by SCPs will allow for evidence-based practice and better patient outcomes within these settings.