From hesitation to participation: a narrative review of facilitators and barriers for healthcare professionals’ engagement in medical education research

Background: Medical education research plays a critical role in improving patient care and advancing medical practices, yet the engagement among healthcare professionals remains limited. This study aims to explore the factors that influence participation in medical education research and provide recommendations to foster a research-inclusive culture within healthcare institutions. Methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted across four databases: Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Airiti Library. The search focused on studies published between 2002 and 2024, utilizing keywords related to ‘medical education research,’ facilitate,’ ‘engage,’ and ‘involve’. The initial search yielded 814 records. After removing duplicates and conducting a thorough screening process based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, eight studies were selected for in-depth analysis. These studies were evaluated to identify key facilitators and barriers that influence research participation among healthcare professionals. Results: The analysis, guided by the Ecological Model, revealed a complex interplay of facilitators and barriers affecting research engagement. At the individual level, opportunities for professional development and career advancement emerged as significant facilitators. The interpersonal level highlighted the importance of leadership, mentorship, and peer support in fostering engagement. The environmental level, including institutional policies, funding availability, and protected research time, were identified as critical influences on participation. Conclusions: The findings suggest that a holistic approach is needed to promote participation in medical education research, addressing factors at the individual, interpersonal and environmental levels. Recommendations include developing targeted strategies to improve intrinsic motivation among healthcare professionals, strengthening mentorship and peer support programs, and implementing supportive institutional policies that allocate dedicated research time and secure financial resources. By fostering a culture that values and facilitates medical education research, healthcare institutions can drive innovation in medical education, ultimately enhancing the quality of patient care and safety.