General practitioners’ willingness to participate in research networks in Germany

To investigate general practitioners’ (GPs’) willingness to participate in long-term medical research and in research networks (RNs). Cross-sectional survey among German GPs around Halle-Wittenberg and Leipzig in 2020. Random sample of 905 GPs. Response rate 37%, 69% female. Overall, 57% were interested in participating in medical research, 34% in an active role in a RN. Interest in RN participation was positively associated with male sex, younger age, previous experiences in medical research, being involved in teaching undergraduates, and having qualification in a further specialty. Main motivators were improving patient care, giving a more realistic picture of GP care, and carrying out research on topics within their own interest areas and a reliable contact person at the leading institution. Most GPs were not afraid of reduced earnings; however, time investment was the main barrier for participation. GPs were willing to dedicate twice as much time to research when remuneration was offered. High rated topics were polypharmacy, chronic diseases, drug safety and adverse drug reactions. GPs are interested to participate in practice-based research. The study results providing useful and generalizable insights in barriers and motivators should be considered when building and running GP-RNs.KEY POINTSThere is a difference between general practitioners’ (GPs’) overall interest in clinical research and their job and socio-demographic related readiness to participate in research networks (RNs).GPs are interested in RNs when it is a resource of and leading to enhanced patient-oriented care.GPs are willing to dedicate twice as much time to research when remunerated.GPs need a reliable counterpart within the leading institution. There is a difference between general practitioners’ (GPs’) overall interest in clinical research and their job and socio-demographic related readiness to participate in research networks (RNs). GPs are interested in RNs when it is a resource of and leading to enhanced patient-oriented care. GPs are willing to dedicate twice as much time to research when remunerated. GPs need a reliable counterpart within the leading institution.

本研究旨在调查全科医师（general practitioners, GPs）参与长期医学研究及研究网络（research networks, RNs）的意愿。2020年针对德国哈雷-维滕贝格周边及莱比锡地区的全科医师开展横断面调查，随机抽取905名全科医师作为研究对象，有效应答率为37%，其中69%为女性。

总体而言，57%的受访者有参与医学研究的意愿，34%愿意在研究网络中承担主动角色。参与研究网络的意愿与男性性别、较年轻年龄、既往医学研究经历、参与本科生教学以及拥有其他专科资质呈正相关。主要激励因素包括改善患者护理、更真实地展现全科医疗服务现状、开展自身感兴趣领域的研究，以及牵头机构配备可靠对接人员。多数全科医师并不担心研究参与会导致收入减少，但时间投入是参与研究的主要障碍。当提供报酬时，全科医师愿意为研究投入两倍于此前的时间。高关注度研究主题包括多重用药、慢性病、药物安全性及药品不良反应。全科医师对参与基于临床实践的研究具有较高意愿。本研究所得关于参与障碍与激励因素的结论具备实用性与可推广性，在构建及运营全科医师研究网络时应予以参考。

核心要点：
1. 全科医师对临床研究的整体参与意愿，与其基于职业及社会人口学特征的研究网络参与意愿存在差异。
2. 当研究网络能够助力并提升以患者为中心的医疗服务时，全科医师对其参与意愿更高。
3. 若提供研究报酬，全科医师愿意为研究投入两倍于无报酬时的时间。
4. 全科医师需要牵头机构配备可靠的对接人员。
5. 全科医师对临床研究的整体参与意愿，与其基于职业及社会人口学特征的研究网络参与意愿存在差异。
6. 当研究网络能够助力并提升以患者为中心的医疗服务时，全科医师对其参与意愿更高。
7. 若提供研究报酬，全科医师愿意为研究投入两倍于无报酬时的时间。
8. 全科医师需要牵头机构配备可靠的对接人员。