Strategies for research capacity building by family physicians in primary care: a scoping review
Margarida Gil Conde
1 2 * , Carolina Penedo 3 , Francisco Freitas Barcelos 4 , Raquel Carmona Ramos 5 , Sofia Silvério Serra 6 , Cristina Ribeiro 2 7 , Paulo Jorge Nicola 7 8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Abstract
Research in primary care (PC) is essential for improving patient outcomes and healthcare systems. However, family physicians often face barriers to conducting research, including limited training, time constraints, and lack of institutional support. Identifying effective strategies to build research capacity can help integrate research into PC practice.
This scoping review identifies and synthesises strategies that strengthen family physicians’ research capacity in PC.
The review followed the PRISMA-ScR methodology. We included studies published up to 2023 in English, Portuguese, or Spanish that described relevant research capacity building (RCB) strategies for family physicians in PC, with no restrictions on study design. A comprehensive search in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted. This review protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (1).
We included 19 studies and identified five key strategic approaches to RCB in PC: (1) Training and mentoring programmes – Structured educational initiatives and mentorship developed research skills. (2) Networking – Collaborative research networks fostered engagement. (3) Blueprint development – Frameworks guided research initiatives. (4) Strategic communication interventions – Awareness campaigns promoted a research culture. (5) Knowledge transfer and exchange – Mechanisms facilitated the application and dissemination of research findings.
Implementing multifaceted strategies enhances family physicians’ involvement in research and strengthens the research culture in PC. Combining structured training programmes, professional networking, and strategic communication fosters a more research-friendly environment. Future studies should assess how adaptable these strategies are to different PC settings, evaluate their long-term impact, and integrate other professional groups within PC.
Keywords: blueprints for research capacity building, family physicians, knowledge transfer and exchange (KTE), knowledge translation, practice-based research networks (PBRNs), primary care research, research capacity building, research mentoring, research networks, research training, strategic communication.
References
1 De Maeseneer JM, De Sutter A. Why research in family medicine? A superfluous question. Ann Fam Med 2004; 2(Suppl 2): 17-22.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
3 Gotler RS. Unfinished Business: the role of research in family medicine. Ann Fam Med 2019; 17(1): 70-76.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
4 Howe A, Kidd M. Challenges for family medicine research: a global perspective. Fam Pract 2019; 36(2): 99-101.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
5 Huas C, Petek D, Diaz E, et al. Strategies to improve research capacity across European general practice: the views of members of EGPRN and Wonca Europe. Eur J Gen Pract 2019; 25(1): 25-31.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
6 Westfall JM, Wittenberg HR, Liaw W. Time to invest in Primary Care Research - Commentary on Findings from an Independent Congressionally Mandated Study. J Gen Intern Med 2021; 36(7): 2117-2120.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
7 Lucan SC, Phillips RL, Jr, Bazemore AW. Off the roadmap? Family medicine’s grant funding and committee representation at NIH. Ann Fam Med 2008; 6(6): 534-542.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
8 Norris TE. Challenges for family medicine and for family physicians. J Am Board Fam Pract 2004; 17(6): 474.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
9 Peters MDJ, Marnie C, Tricco AC, et al. Updated methodological guidance for the conduct of scoping reviews. JBI Evid Synth 2020; 18(10): 2119-2126.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
10 Grady C, Han H, Kim DH, et al. Family physicians collaborating for health system integration: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23(1): 68.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
11 Khatri R, Endalamaw A, Erku D, et al. Continuity and care coordination of primary health care: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23(1): 750.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
12 Gil Conde M, Costa I, Silvério Serra S, et al. Strategies for research capacity building by family physicians in primary healthcare: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14(2): e077632.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
13 Tricco AC, Lillie E, Zarin W, et al. PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): checklist and explanation. Ann Intern Med 2018; 169(7): 467-473.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
14 McGowan J, Sampson M, Salzwedel DM, et al. PRESS Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies: 2015 Guideline Statement. J Clin Epidemiol 2016; 75: 40-46.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
15 Ouzzani M, Hammady H, Fedorowicz Z, et al. Rayyan-a web and mobile app for systematic reviews. Syst Rev 2016; 5(1): 210.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
16 Morgado MB, Rodrigues V, Carmona Ramos R, et al. Strategies for the promotion of Primary Health Care Research in Portugal: a qualitative study. Acta Med Port 2024; 37(2): 110-118.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
17 Cooke J, Nancarrow S, Dyas J, et al. An evaluation of the “Designated Research Team” approach to building research capacity in primary care. BMC Fam Pract 2008; 9: 37.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
18 Foy R, Eccles M. Structured career pathways in academic primary care. Fam Pract 2008; 25(1): 63-67.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
19 Elliott-Rudder M. Researcher networking drives change: an autoenthnographic narrative analysis from medical graduate to primary health researcher. Aust J Prim Health 2010; 16(1): 108-115.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
20 Rosser W, Godwin M, Seguin R. Family medicine research capacity building: five-weekend programs in Ontario. Can Fam Physician 2010; 56(3): 94.
| Google Scholar | PubMed |
21 Soós M, Temple-Smith M, Gunn J, et al. Establishing the Victorian Primary Care Practice Based Research Network. Aust Fam Physician 2010; 39: 857-862.
| Google Scholar | PubMed |
22 Van Royen P, Beyer M, Chevallier P, et al. Series: The research agenda for general practice/family medicine and primary health care in Europe. Part 6: Reaction on commentaries - how to continue with the Research Agenda? Eur J Gen Pract 2011; 17(1): 58-61.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
23 Kuzel A, James P. Research development stories from 7 departments of family medicine: 7 lessons for all departments. Ann Fam Med 2011; 9(4): 373-374.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
24 Brown LJ, McIntyre EL. The contribution of Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development-supported research to primary health care policy and practice. Aust J Prim Health 2014; 20(1): 47-55.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
25 Abbott P, Reath J, Rosenkranz S, et al. RACGP - Increasing GP supervisor research skills – enhancing clinical practice and teaching. Available at https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2014/may/gp-supervisor-research-skills/ [accessed 10 February 2025].
26 Morténius H. Creating an interest in research and development as a means of reducing the gap between theory and practice in primary care: an interventional study based on strategic communication. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2014; 11(9): 8689-8708.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
27 Friesen EL, Comino EJ, Reath J, et al. Building research capacity in south-west Sydney through a Primary and Community Health Research Unit. Aust J Prim Health 2014; 20(1): 4-8.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
28 McCarthy P, Bethune C, Fitzgerald S, et al. Curriculum development of 6for6: longitudinal research skills program for rural and remote family physicians. Can Fam Physician 2016; 62(2): e89-e95.
| Google Scholar | PubMed |
29 Ponka D, Coffman M, Fraser-Barclay KE, et al. Fostering global primary care research: a capacity-building approach. BMJ Glob Health 2020; 5(7): e002470.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
30 Fortin M, Pereira J, Hutchison B, et al. Nurturing a culture of curiosity in family medicine and primary care: the Section of Researchers’ Blueprint 2 (2018-2023). Can Fam Physician 2021; 67(5): 333-338.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
31 McGuire CM, Fatusin BB, Kodicherla H, et al. Implementation of online research training and mentorship for Sub-Saharan African family physicians. Ann Glob Health 2021; 87(1): 13.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
32 Collins C. The EGPRN Research Strategy for general practice in Europe. Eur J Gen Pract 2022; 28(1): 136-141.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
33 Carroll JK, Hester CM, Lutgen CB, et al. Research interests of family physicians applying for research training. BMC Med Educ 2023; 23(1): 617.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
34 Girard A, Dugas M, Lépine J, et al. Strategies to engage family physicians in primary care research: a systematic review. J Eval Clin Pract 2023; 29(1): 233-249.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
35 Solbach-Sabbach C, Adar T, Alperin M, et al. Engaging family medicine residents in research training: an innovative research skills program in Israel. Educ Health 2019; 32(2): 79-83.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
36 Krishna LKR, Kwok HYF, Ravindran N, et al. A systematic scoping review of mentoring support on professional identity formation. BMC Med Educ 2024; 24(1): 1380.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |
37 Matus J, Walker A, Mickan S. Research capacity building frameworks for allied health professionals – A systematic review. BMC Health Serv Res 2018; 18(1): 716.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |
