TY - JOUR

T1 - A qualitative investigation of the views of primary care dentists on participating in prospective studies in the North-West of England

AU - Hopper, L

AU - Morris, L

AU - Brocklehurst, P

AU - Tickle, M

PY - 2011/6

Y1 - 2011/6

N2 - BACKGROUND: There is a poor understanding of to how to recruit and involve primary care dentists in clinical trials.AIM: 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.FINDINGS: 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.

AB - BACKGROUND: There is a poor understanding of to how to recruit and involve primary care dentists in clinical trials.AIM: 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.FINDINGS: 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.

KW - Adult

KW - Attitude of Health Personnel

KW - Clinical Trials as Topic

KW - Community-Based Participatory Research

KW - Dental Research

KW - Dentists

KW - England

KW - Female

KW - Focus Groups

KW - General Practice, Dental

KW - Humans

KW - Interviews as Topic

KW - Male

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Motivation

KW - Prospective Studies

KW - Qualitative Research

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1038/sj.bdj.2011.429

DO - 10.1038/sj.bdj.2011.429

M3 - Article

C2 - 21659986

VL - 210

SP - E18

JO - British Dental Journal

JF - British Dental Journal

SN - 1476-5373

IS - 11

ER -