Defining dimensions of research readiness: a conceptual model for primary care research networks

<p><strong>Background:&nbsp;</strong>Recruitment to research studies in primary care is challenging despite widespread implementation of electronic patient record (EPR) systems which potentially make it easier to identify eligible cases.</p> <p><strong>Methods...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Carr, H, de Lusignan, S, Liyanage, H, Liaw, S-T, Terry, A, Rafi, I
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: BioMed Central 2014
Description
Summary:<p><strong>Background:&nbsp;</strong>Recruitment to research studies in primary care is challenging despite widespread implementation of electronic patient record (EPR) systems which potentially make it easier to identify eligible cases.</p> <p><strong>Methods:&nbsp;</strong>Literature review and applying the learning from a European research readiness assessment tool, the TRANSFoRm International Research Readiness instrument (TIRRE), to the context of the English NHS in order to develop a model to assess a practice&rsquo;s research readiness.</p> <p><strong>Results:&nbsp;</strong>Seven dimensions of research readiness were identified: (1) Data readiness: Is there good data quality in EPR systems; (2) Record readiness: Are EPR data able to identify eligible cases and other study data; (3) Organisational readiness: Are the health system and socio-cultural environment supportive; (4) Governance readiness: Does the study meet legal and local health system regulatory compliance; (5) Study-specific readiness; (6) Business process readiness: Are business processes tilted in favour of participation: including capacity and capability to take on extra work, financial incentives as well as intangibles such as social and intellectual capital; (7) Patient readiness: Are systems in place to recruit patients and obtain informed consent?</p> <p><strong>Conclusions:&nbsp;</strong>The model might enable the development of interventions to increase participation in primary care-based research and become a tool to measure the progress of practice networks towards the most advanced state of readiness.</p>