Assessing the Need of the Health Workers for Action Research

There is a necessity for engaging the health workers in action research to develop the health condition of the society. The aim of this investigation was to assess the needs of the peripheral health workers for action research.

In this qualitative approach (Focus Group Discussion) four groups of GPs, nurses, health workers and health promoters participated to discuss their needs for health research.

The findings revealed that they felt the necessity of research for solving the health problems and developing the health condition of the people under their coverage and wanted to participate in research activities. They had not trained in methodologies of problem finding and analysis, data collection and interpretation as well as planning for intervarsity.

The results of this investigation in completion with those of the key informant interviews and the quantitative method led to designation of the module named 10 steps in Health Systems Research which is tailored for health workers to enable them to conduct action research.