Assessing General Practices’ Capacity to Participate in Research Organisational Factors Influencing the Research Capacity of General Practices Jocelyn Tan, Bettina Christl, Linda Greer on behalf of the ‘Teamwork’ study

Background Research in general practice is important but challenging Research in general practice is important but challenging –Time consuming –Imposition on doctors and patients –Data affected by outside factors Current practice capacity is focused on providers’ research skills and expansion of research workforce Current practice capacity is focused on providers’ research skills and expansion of research workforce Little known about factors within practice – easier to correct Little known about factors within practice – easier to correct

This study Based on experiences and reflections of research staff in random control trial (teamwork study) Based on experiences and reflections of research staff in random control trial (teamwork study) –Two time periods –GP and staff interviews –Random patient selection/patient audit –Patient, staff and GP questionnaires Identified common themes that influenced practice research capacity Identified common themes that influenced practice research capacity

Common Themes - Staff roles: Defined staff roles Defined staff roles Equality among GPs and staff Equality among GPs and staff –Communication With researcher With researcher Within practice Within practice –Information Management Medical Records Medical Records IT IT

Practice A: Information management

Practice A: Poor Information Management PLP had left since first visit – long time to arrange visit PLP had left since first visit – long time to arrange visit Interviews not allocated a time Interviews not allocated a time Researcher not allocated a room for audit Researcher not allocated a room for audit Badly organised files Badly organised files –Missing results

Practice B: Practice Communication

Practice B: Poor Communication Decision to be involved made by GP and PN who did not inform other GPs Decision to be involved made by GP and PN who did not inform other GPs Difficult to arrange visit as PM not aware of study Difficult to arrange visit as PM not aware of study Some GPs very hostile Some GPs very hostile

Practice C: All low

Practice C: All factors low No consistent contact person or contact time No consistent contact person or contact time No communication within the practice No communication within the practice No computer system! No computer system! Badly organised files Badly organised files Research time = 3 months Research time = 3 months

Practice D: All factors high

Practice D: All Factors High PM organised visit on first contact PM organised visit on first contact Memo circulated to all doctors letting know of project and interview time Memo circulated to all doctors letting know of project and interview time Researcher allocated receptionist making research process faster Researcher allocated receptionist making research process faster Records well kept and results easy to find Records well kept and results easy to find

Effects Research duration Research duration –Number of visits required by researcher Response Rates Response Rates Results (possibly) Results (possibly) –Considerate interview answers –Knowledgeable interview answers –Patient audits GP’s response to research GP’s response to research

What to do Staff roles, communication and patient documentation influence research process and result Staff roles, communication and patient documentation influence research process and result Improvements in one area Improvements in one area Researcher awareness Researcher awareness –Identify a liason person and make sure know what is required e.g. booking appointments –Allow more time –Act as communicator e.g. speaking to GP and other staff personally about study