Developing engagement, linkage and exchange between health services managers and researchers: Experience from the UK

Objectives The UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Service Delivery and Organisation (SDO) Management Fellowship programme enabled health services managers and university researchers to collaborate on research projects with the aim of improving research, managers’ research knowledge and skills, and the use of research in management. Our aim was to evaluate whether the programme encouraged greater engagement, linkage and exchange between researchers and managers. Methods A case-study approach with each case-study centred on 11 health care managers appointed as Fellows, chief investigators (n = 13) and Fellows’ line managers (n = 12). Data were collected through semi-structured face-to-face and telephone interviews. Interviews were analysed thematically to explore the impact of the programme, reported issues and to identify any lessons learned. Results Researchers benefited from the flow of (insider) knowledge and contacts from the workplace via the Fellow to the project. Engagement, linkage and exchange as a result of the Fellowship were less developed for the workplace. Reasons for this related to the fit of the research project with workplace interests, Fellows’ contact with the health care organization, feedback structures and training. The potential for co-production of knowledge was under-developed. A transactional notion of exchange was found in operation in workplaces. Conclusions The programme’s aim to enhance engagement, linkage and exchange was largely achieved, although exchange tended to be narrowly conceived. Knowing how models of exchange work in practice can ensure effort is put to best use