Benefits of research

Research findings help guide clinical practice with reliable evidence derived from a primary care setting.

A recent study (Kenning et al., 2024) found that research practice staff described ‘’potential ‘direct’ and ‘indirect’ impacts (of research involvement) on their work”. The following “direct” and “indirect” impacts were found:

Direct impacts

Improved knowledge and skills
Bringing in additional resources
Improved relationships with patients

Indirect impacts

Job satisfaction: perception of practice as a centre of excellence and innovation
Variety afforded by research activity, reducing burnout
Staff recruitment – the practice is a more attractive workplace

Kenning C., Usher-Smith, J.A., Jamison, J., Jones, J., Boaz, A., Little, P., Mallen, C., Bower, P., Park, S. (2024) Impact of research activity on performance of general practices: a qualitative study. BJGP Open 8 (3): BJGPO.2024.0073. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3399/BJGPO.2024.0073

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It's good for you and your career development

Many healthcare professionals say they find the experience of being involved in research studies positive and rewarding. Any member of the practice team can get involved. The experience of staff involved in running research studies is very encouraging, with many reporting an increase in job satisfaction and overall quality in performance.

Doctors supporting research in their practice are able to acquire Continuous Professional Development (CPD) hours for their annual appraisals, contributing to revalidation requirements. Research can stimulate future doctors and energise training GPs.

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It's good for your practice

It can be empowering for GPs and patients alike to be helping to answer important research questions that are relevant to UK general practice.

Practices have found that developing a research interest not only produces a new income stream, but leads to a novel aspect of staff development and portfolio careers. Hosting research offers more variety to clinical roles and further opportunities to build networks.

GP Trainees

GP trainees now have a quality improvement mandatory requirement as part of their training. This could be completed by being an Associate Principal Investigator or Sub-Principal Investigator on a research study within their practice. This not only engages potential new researchers allowing them to undertake other responsibilities and have ‘portfolio’ careers, but also supports research in the practice and provides further opportunities for patients.

Research delivery is also becoming an important extended career pathway for GP trainees and newly qualified GPs. The RCGP GP with Extended Role (GPwER) in Research Delivery framework recognises the growing role of research-active general practice and supports GPs to develop expertise in delivering and leading clinical research within primary care. Involvement in research can provide opportunities to develop skills in leadership, education, quality improvement and evidence-based practice, while contributing directly to improved patient care and future NHS services. For many GPs, research delivery also offers a rewarding portfolio career alongside routine clinical practice.

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It's good for your patients

Evidence shows that research-active trusts delivering clinical research trials and studies have better patient outcomes.
Patients can access novel treatments and/or facilities, tests and enhanced monitoring.
Patients value the opportunity to participate in research studies; it empowers them to understand more about their conditions and allows them to contribute to improving future healthcare.

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It's valued by the CQC

Care Quality Commission (CQC) have already identified research activity as a quality marker in secondary care, and some primary care CQC reports highlight the value of research to patients as a demonstrable commitment to quality improvement. The CQC now has a remit to assess how trusts are supporting and using clinical research to improve patient care.

The NHS constitution states that "research is a core NHS business and every patient should be offered the opportunity to engage with research activities".

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Research is part of the NHS's future

The NHS Constitution recognises the importance of promoting and conducting research to improve current and future health and care. Research in general practice helps patients access new approaches to prevention, earlier diagnosis and more effective treatments, while supporting better outcomes across the NHS.

Research is increasingly recognised as a core part of clinical practice across the NHS. Within the NHS England Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Practice, research forms one of the four pillars of advanced practice alongside clinical practice, leadership and management, and education. The framework states that advanced practitioners should critically engage in research activity, apply evidence-based practice, evaluate outcomes, and help develop new knowledge to improve patient care.

Further information:

NIHR EVIDENCE

The NIHR provides summaries of health research through the NIHR Evidence in the form of Signals, Highlights and Themed Reviews, which aim to help clinicians, commissioners and patients to make evidence-based decisions about which treatments and practices are most effective and provide the best use of resources.

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