Research capacity-building in primary healthcare: What works?

Aim: This analysis and discussion paper explores key issues in making research capacity building (RCB) work in primary healthcare. Method: Drawing on a select review of the RCB literature, the paper identifies the knowns and unknowns about research capacity building for primary healthcare. It examines key definitions of RCB, explains why RCB matters, identifies some key challenges and strategies, including equity and access issues, and highlights the key design features of successful RCB. Finally the paper offers a practical example of a new Tasmanian mentoring program that aims to incorporate these ideal design features. Findings and Conclusions: Culturally appropriate, complex and diverse approaches are needed to develop successful RCB. This requires a long-term investment in relationship-building in a specific region. It is important to design RCB approaches around a nominated group of practitioners who have an interest in, and potential for, primary healthcare research, avoiding fragmented delivery of ad hoc programs with little long-term yield for individual practitioners or primary healthcare generally. Elements of best practice RCB programs should be tailored to fit the needs of participants, as for example, in the mentoring program described in this paper.