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General practitioners' views on patient care research
I Wilson1, B McGrath, G Russell
1Research and Health Promotion Unit, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, South Australia. iwilson@health.on.net
Australian Family Physician
|March 18, 2000
Summary
General practitioners who recruit patients for clinical trials are often interested in research and value the doctor-patient relationship. Supporting these practitioners involves simplifying protocols and maintaining contact.
Area of Science:
- General Practice Research
- Clinical Trial Recruitment
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Limited research exists on factors influencing patient recruitment by Australian general practitioners in clinical trials.
- Understanding differences between recruiting and non-recruiting GPs can improve support for research participation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify characteristics and motivations of general practitioners who recruit patients for clinical trials.
- To inform strategies for enhancing general practitioner involvement in clinical research.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to general practitioners actively recruiting patients for the RACGP Research Program.
- Data collected focused on practitioner demographics, attitudes towards research, and perceived recruitment facilitators.
Main Results:
- Recruiting general practitioners expressed greater interest in research and perceived greater value in participation.
- A positive relationship with research staff and the doctor-patient dynamic were identified as key facilitators.
- Recruiters were typically average, male, middle-aged general practitioners in group practices.
Conclusions:
- General practitioners often experience some discomfort during patient recruitment but find the doctor-patient relationship beneficial.
- Effective clinical trial recruitment requires engaging GPs interested in research, selecting relevant topics, simplifying protocols, and ensuring consistent communication.