title: What are the attitudes of general practitioners towards research?
abstract: There is an urgent need for high quality primary care research to provide a firm scientific basis for a primary care-led National Health Service; however, relatively little is known about general practitioners' (GPs') stated practices and attitudes towards research. This cross-sectional questionnaire study documents the attitudes and stated practices of general practitioners towards undertaking and using research. Virtually all 249 (90%) GP responders felt that primary care research was important, while majorities expressed interest in research (61%), using research to directly influence practice (68%), and an interest in undertaking future research (53%). Perceived priorities for future primary care research are chronic illness, primary care organisation, and patient behaviour.
authors.affiliation: School of Geography, University of Leeds.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gould
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000523:psychology*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012106:Research