Research Identifies the Problem. What Happens Next?

Three years ago, a study examining healthcare workers’ knowledge of needlestick injuries revealed gaps in staff awareness. The findings informed targeted training programmes to strengthen prevention practices.

For Maheswary, who was then an Infection Control Officer, the experience demonstrated something important. Research becomes useful when its findings help healthcare professionals decide what needs to change.

"Research creates meaningful improvements when evidence is translated into action," she says.

What Does It Take to Make Research Useful?

Behind every research paper is a process that requires reliable information, careful analysis and collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Today, Maheswary encourages consultants and medical officers to participate in research, publications and clinical trials. She also helps coordinate research papers and systematic reviews intended for local and international journals.

Her work covers a range of clinical subjects, including mental health studies, a critical review of prostate cancer, a biliary tract cancer review for international publication and ongoing research on hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Although these projects address different clinical questions, each depends on accurate data and the processes required to conduct research responsibly.

“My role in data collection and analysis helps ensure that decisions are guided by evidence rather than assumptions,” she explains.

An equally important responsibility involves the protection of research data. Maheswary oversees requests from external students seeking access to hospital information, ensuring the necessary approvals are obtained before any data is released.

This may be less visible than the research itself, but confidentiality and proper approvals are essential to maintaining trust in the research process.

When Evidence Informs Clinical Practice

Patient outcomes, clinical audits and surveys can reveal gaps in existing practices, giving healthcare teams information to review protocols, improve workflow and identify training needs.

Research also encourages healthcare professionals to question established approaches, assess whether current practices remain effective and consider changes based on available evidence.

Within KPJ Health System, research has a role beyond academic publication. It helps connect evidence with clinical practice, so that findings can inform how healthcare professionals approach patient care, safety and service improvements.

For Maheswary, this connection between research and practice is particularly important. Her responsibilities extend beyond supporting studies to helping ensure that information is collected, analysed and handled appropriately.

Strengthening Research Through Collaboration

Looking ahead, Maheswary sees opportunities to encourage greater participation in research through training, mentorship and funding support.

She also recognises the potential of digital health technologies and data analytics, as well as closer collaboration between clinicians, healthcare institutions, academia and industry.

Partnerships with organisations such as the Ministry of Health and the Clinical Research Centre could further support research activities and contribute to wider improvements across Malaysia’s healthcare sector.

“These collaborations not only benefit KPJ patients but also contribute to broader improvements across the healthcare ecosystem,” she says.

Her perspective is grounded in the belief that research should remain relevant to the challenges healthcare professionals encounter in their daily work.

Not every improvement in healthcare begins with a new treatment or technology. Sometimes, it begins with a question, a gap in knowledge and the evidence needed to decide what should change.