title: A qualitative investigation of the views of primary care dentists on participating in prospective studies in the North-West of England.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a poor understanding of to how to recruit and involve primary care dentists in clinical trials.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To use a qualitative paradigm to explore the views of primary care dentists towards participating in clinical trials and develop an understanding of the factors that facilitate and prevent their involvement. DESIGN, SETTING, SUBJECTS AND METHODS: An iterative approach was undertaken using a focus group (n = 6) followed by phased semi-structured interviews (n = 18). Data were analysed using thematic analysis and constant comparative analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The semi-structured interviews generated nine codes which were organised into three themes: technical issues for trials in primary dental care, practical issues for research in primary dental care and primary care dentists as research consumers. Overall, primary care dentists had a poor understanding of research methodology and clinical research. Barriers to participation included loss of clinical freedom and control, practice disruption, patient welfare, staff workload, financial loss and time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Barriers to primary dental care research need to be overcome through appropriate protocols, funding, training and support. Joint working of primary dental care teams and academic researchers is essential, along with a constructive and open dialogue, if clinical trials are to be successfully undertaken in a practice environment.
authors.affiliation: Salford Primary Care Trust Dental Department, Walkden Gateway, 2 Smith Street, Walkden, Manchester, M28 3EZ. louise.hopper@salford.nhs.uk
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hopper
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Morris
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Brocklehurst
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tickle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000523:psychology*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D018865:Dental Research; D003815:Dentists / Q000523:psychology*; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires