General practitioners' views on patient care research.
BACKGROUND
Little research has been undertaken into the factors affecting recruitment by Australian general practitioners of patients for clinical trials. Understanding the differences between recruiters and non-recruiters will assist researchers in better supporting general practitioners involved in such research.


METHODS
A survey of general practitioners involved in recruiting patients for clinical trials for the RACGP Research Program was undertaken.


RESULTS
Recruiters were more likely to be interested in learning more about research, to perceive involvement as worthwhile, to desire a good relationship with Research Program staff and to feel the doctor-patient relationship assists recruitment.


CONCLUSIONS
Recruiters in general are average general practitioners, male, middle-aged and work in group practices. Most felt some discomfort in recruiting patients, but believed the strong doctor-patient relationship assisted in the process.


CONCLUSIONS
The Research Program needs to recruit general practitioners interested in research, choose topics of interest, keep recruitment protocols simple and stay in contact.
Wilson
I
I
Research and Health Promotion Unit, Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, South Australia. iwilson@health.on.net
McGrath
B
B
Russell
G
G
Bridges-Webb
C
C
Hogan
C
C
D001315:Australia; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012106:Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires