A survey exploration of the research interests and needs of family doctors in Hong Kong

Abstract

Objective: To examine the needs and interests of family doctors regarding participation in primary care research. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Subjects: Members of the Hong Kong College of Family Physicians (HKCFP). Main Outcome measures: 1. Engagement in research; 2. Drivers and facilitators to participate in research; 3. Research training needs. Results: A total of 123 HKCFP members responded to the survey. Characteristics of the respondents: 66% male, 79% > 40 years, 37% worked in the Hospital Authority, 85% used research evidence regularly and 78% had previously participated in research. Over half (N=72) were interested in participating in future research. Key motivators include research questions relevant to their clinical practice; access to mentoring and support from experienced researchers; and better research skills. Respondents were most interested in gaining research skills to generate research ideas and perform data analysis and interpretation. Conclusions: Our survey indicates that there are family doctors in Hong Kong who are intrinsically motivated and willing to participate in research; however, many of these doctors need more support in terms of research supervision and skills training. The HKCFP can potentially play a role to foster Hong Kong’s primary care research capacity through building up research networks and collaborations to do research that address clinically important questions, and by connecting family doctors with research mentors who can provide research skills training.