Challenges and Recommendations for Conducting Research in Primary Health Care Practice: An integrative review

Abstract

Abstract Background Primary care practice-based research is valuable for advancing scientific knowledge in real-world settings and promoting evidence-based practice. It has external validity to other primary health care settings, making translation of research findings easier. However, conducting such research can be challenging, especially in low- and middle-income countries with limited resources and infrastructure. Systematizing the challenges and recommendations is necessary to support researchers in producing high-quality research in primary care.Objective To identify challenges and recommendations for conducting practice-based research in primary health care services.Method An integrative literature review was performed on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Lilacs databases.Results 440 articles were identified and 25 were included in the analysis. There was a prevalence of descriptive studies, conducted in developed countries, and the majority with the participation of physicians. The challenges and recommendations for conducting practice-based research in primary health care services were grouped into six topics: research planning; infrastructure; engagement of health professionals in research; knowledge translation; relation between universities and practice; international partnerships and collaboration.Conclusion The challenges to implementing research in primary health care settings are similar in several analyzed contexts and the recommendations found point to the necessity for lasting and systemic action that engages managers, decision makers, academics, health professionals of different categories and users, aiming towards the sustainability and transformation of the practice.