Key informants perspectives on creating a high impact research department in family and community medicine: a qualitative project.

Publisher: BioMed Central Ltd Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 9918300889006676 Publication Model: Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2731-4553 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 27314553 NLM ISO Abbreviation: BMC Prim Care Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: [London] : BioMed Central Ltd., [2022]-

Community Medicine* ; Faculty*; Humans ; Focus Groups

Background: Primary care is integral to the health system and population health. Primary care research is still in development and most academic departments lack effective research investments. High impact primary care research programs are needed to advance the field to ensure a robust primary care system for the future. The project objective was to understand key informants' views of structures, functions, and processes required to create a high impact research program in an academic primary care department.
Methods: A descriptive qualitative project with key informants from research programs in primary care. Participants included international research leaders in primary care (n = 10), department of family and community researchers (n = 37) and staff (n = 9) in an academic primary care department, other university leaders (n = 3) and members of the departmental executive leadership team (1 department; 25 members). Semi-structured interviews (n = 27), and focus groups (n = 6) were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. We used a socioecological framework which described micro, meso, macro levels of influence.
Results: At the micro level despite barriers with respect to funding, protected time and lack of formal mentorship, personal motivation was a key factor. At the meso level, the organizational structure that promoted collaboration and a sense of connection emerged as a key factor. Specifically research leaders identified a research faculty development pipeline based on equity, diversity, inclusion, indigeneity, and accessibility principles with thematic areas of focus as key enablers. Lastly, at the macro level, an overarching culture and policies that promoted funding and primary care research was associated with high impact programs.
Conclusion: The alignment/complementarity of micro, meso, and macro level factors influenced the creation of a high impact research department in primary care. High impact research in primary care is facilitated by the development of researchers through formalized and structured mentorship/sponsorship and a department culture that promote primary care research.
(© 2024. The Author(s).)

Acad Med. 2001 Apr;76(4):366-72. (PMID: 11299152)
Can Fam Physician. 2014 Sep;60(9):781-3, 790-2. (PMID: 25217666)
Psychiatr Serv. 2014 Apr 1;65(4):406-9. (PMID: 24534819)
Dev Neurorehabil. 2019 Jul;22(5):359-364. (PMID: 30307382)
Fam Med. 2021 Feb;53(2):98-103. (PMID: 33566343)
Ann Fam Med. 2004 May 26;2 Suppl 2:S5-16. (PMID: 15655089)
Acad Med. 1992 Jun;67(6):385-97. (PMID: 1596337)
Fam Med. 2015 Sep;47(8):636-42. (PMID: 26382122)
Can Fam Physician. 2009 Oct;55(10):e35-40. (PMID: 19826140)
Fam Med. 2021 Jun 21;53(7):647-649. (PMID: 34152593)
Fam Med. 2019 Feb;51(2):120-128. (PMID: 30736037)
JAMA Netw Open. 2023 Apr 3;6(4):e236687. (PMID: 37058307)
J Gen Intern Med. 2021 Jul;36(7):2117-2120. (PMID: 33479927)
Can Fam Physician. 2016 Mar;62(3):266-8. (PMID: 26975920)
J Health Organ Manag. 2021 Jul 26;ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print):. (PMID: 34304401)
Can Fam Physician. 2021 May;67(5):333-338. (PMID: 33980624)
Can Fam Physician. 2016 May;62(5):385-90. (PMID: 27255618)
Nurs Rep. 2022 Jul 07;12(3):510-514. (PMID: 35894038)
Acad Med. 2005 Mar;80(3):225-37. (PMID: 15734804)
Fam Pract. 2007 Oct;24(5):401-2. (PMID: 17998264)
BMC Health Serv Res. 2017 Jul 11;17(Suppl 1):457. (PMID: 28722550)
J Am Board Fam Med. 2021 Jul-Aug;34(4):849-852. (PMID: 34312278)
Ann Fam Med. 2022 Mar-Apr;20(2):170-174. (PMID: 35165086)
J Athl Train. 2019 Apr;54(4):356-360. (PMID: 30870600)
Hum Resour Health. 2014 Jun 04;12:32. (PMID: 24898264)
Int J Qual Health Care. 2007 Dec;19(6):349-57. (PMID: 17872937)
BMC Med. 2016 May 23;14:78. (PMID: 27211576)
Lancet. 2004 Sep 11-17;364(9438):1004-6. (PMID: 15364194)
J Am Board Fam Med. 2013 Jan-Feb;26(1):7-8. (PMID: 23288274)
BMC Fam Pract. 2018 Aug 29;19(1):144. (PMID: 30157764)
J Am Board Fam Med. 2007 Nov-Dec;20(6):518-26. (PMID: 17954858)
Br J Gen Pract. 2022 Feb 24;72(716):104-105. (PMID: 35210234)
Can Fam Physician. 2014 Feb;60(2):e105-12. (PMID: 24522688)
Nurs Child Young People. 2015 Mar;27(2):24-9. (PMID: 25760011)
Acad Med. 2019 May;94(5):659-663. (PMID: 30640263)
BMC Fam Pract. 2012 Jun 15;13:58. (PMID: 22702476)
Fam Med. 2018 Oct 30;51(2):87-102. (PMID: 30376674)
BMC Fam Pract. 2009 May 11;10:33. (PMID: 19432990)

Keywords: High impact research; Primary care; Qualitative; Socioecological framework

Date Created: 20240206 Date Completed: 20240208 Latest Revision: 20240229

20240301

PMC10845512

10.1186/s12875-024-02288-6

38321430