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Family Practice Advance Access published online on July 15, 2006
Family Practice, doi:10.1093/fampra/cml034
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© The Author (2006). Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Received September 9, 2005
Accepted June 12, 2006

Article

Excessive workload, uncertain career opportunities and lack of funding are important barriers to recruiting and retaining primary care medical researchers: a qualitative interview study

Janus Laust Thomsen 1 *, Dorthe Jarbøl 2, and Jens Søndergaard 3

1 Institute of Public Health, Department of General Practice, University of Aarhus, Denmark
2 Research Unit for General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
3 Research Unit for General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark; Research Unit for General Practice, University of Aarhus, Denmark

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Janus Laust Thomsen, E-mail: janus.laust.thomsen{at}alm.au.dk


  Abstract

Background. Research activity in primary care has been steadily increasing, but is still insufficient and more researchers are needed. Many initiatives have been launched to recruit and retain primary care researchers, but only little is known about barriers and facilitators to a research career in primary care.

Objective. To examine barriers and facilitators to recruiting and retaining primary care medical researchers.

Methods. Semi-structured interviews with 33 primary care medical researchers, all medical doctors. We used a phenomenological approach to analysing the interviews.

Results. Important barriers to pursuing a research career in primary care were heavy workload, isolation at work, short-term funding and low salary. Important facilitators to attracting and retaining primary care researchers were the desire and opportunity to improve primary care, the flexible working conditions, the career opportunities, including the possibility of combining university-based research with clinical work and a friendly and competent research environment.

Conclusion. Better strategies for recruiting and retaining researchers are a prerequisite for the development of primary care, and in future the main emphasis should be on working conditions, networking and mentoring. Studies including those primary care physicians who have chosen not to do research are highly needed.

Keywords: Academic; career choice; family practice; research; research personnel.
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