Practitioner research: An approach to developing research capacity in primary care

Abstract

The development of research capacity is a priority in healthcare. However, little information is available on the outcomes of different approaches to capacity-building. This paper provides a description of the approach taken in a primary health care (PHC) project (Teamcare Valleys) to support the development of research skills by PHC practitioners. The 35 practitioners were all experienced nurses, midwives, health visitors, GPs, practice managers and health promotion specialists. Research capacity development was supported by colleagues with experience in a range of research approaches in PHC and social science research. A case study was designed to examine the impact of the capacity-building process on the development of research and other skills. Data were collected at the end of the three-year project and five years later to identify the development of research skills and their utilisation in subsequent posts. Evidence indicates that the practitioner researchers developed considerable skills in research and associated areas; for example, in methods of research dissemination. However, their subsequent utilisation of these skills resulted from their own motivation rather than from being a requirement of subsequent posts. It is concluded that development of practitioner research skills needs to be supported by a career strategy enabling clinical research careers in the NHS.