Research is critical for the advancement of the clinical and non-clinical allied health sciences everywhere to include Canada and abroad. As noted by the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (2009a), health care is changing and this demands an understanding of latest research findings to ensure optimal and adequate health care for patients. Activities of these professionals are changing since the public is becoming more empowered, educated, and engaged in healthcare due to social media on the Internet. There are multiple websites that present complementary and alternative medicine worldwide and allied health care professionals must compete with these sites as well as help patients distinguish between what is accurate and what is not.
According to Hatzenbuehler, ASAHP President, professionals in the clinical and non-clinical allied health sciences worldwide are made up of more and more minorities as is the patient population. Research on cultural as well as health issues is needed to ensure culturally sensitive and comprehensive health care. The health care system is expanding in the U.S. and other countries. ASAHP reviews research studies to provide latest information. For example, a report that examined 100 studies published in the last 40 years was provided. This report synthesized evidence related to health care systems and needs for change to meet growth demands (ASAHPb). Since health information is so widely available new challenges include understanding research findings to provide health literacy and accurate communication with eHealth (ASAHPc). Research is needed to understand disease prevention and health care promotion across America and worldwide.
Trends in other areas of allied health care must also be understood with latest research findings. These trends include advancements in the use of technology in health care. For example, Canada's Electronic Health Record (HER) is becoming a...