Primary Care Research Network in Eastern Ireland Demonstrates Feasibility and Practitioner Acceptability

Establishing a structured, university-affiliated practice-based research network within general practice in the Ireland East region is feasible and acceptable, according to an evaluation of participating clinics. Participating general practitioners reported high levels of satisfaction alongside increased motivation to engage in research and improved awareness of scholarly opportunities.

General practitioners play a central role in healthcare delivery, but their direct participation in research has historically remained limited. Internationally, practice-based research networks have been recognised as effective vehicles for building academic capacity across primary care by fostering collaboration between frontline clinicians and academic researchers. Prior to this initiative, however, little evidence existed regarding the feasibility and acceptability of implementing such collaborative networks within the Irish healthcare context.

To evaluate the UCD/Ireland East GP Research Network, investigators carried out a mixed-methods evaluation assessing acceptability and feasibility among member practices. The study design combined secondary analysis of project documentation with a self-administered online survey completed by member practices. The survey instrument was informed by the RE-AIM and Social Network Analysis frameworks to assess participant engagement, collaborative patterns, and perceived impact.

The evaluation gathered survey responses from eleven member general practices, representing a 79 percent response rate. Every respondent participating in the survey indicated overall satisfaction with their involvement in the Network.

Beyond universal satisfaction, the survey identified specific professional gains among participating clinicians. A majority of respondents, representing nine practices or 81.8 percent, noted an increased motivation to engage in research. In addition, seven respondents (63.6 percent) reported greater awareness of research opportunities, while five respondents (45.5 percent) reported improved collaboration with peer clinicians and academic partners.

Participating practices also identified key areas for future investigation, naming enhanced integration between primary and secondary care as their top research priority, followed by chronic disease management and mental health. The authors concluded that the network enhanced local research capacity, engagement, and collaboration, providing a scalable model for strengthening primary care research and health system integration in Ireland.

Subject of Research: Feasibility and acceptability of a primary care practice-based research network in Ireland

Article Title: Implementation and evaluation of a primary care practice based research network in the Ireland East region

Article References: McCombe, G., Lee, O., Ravichandran, N., Broughan, J., Clendennen, N., Carberry, C., Murphy, N., Gallagher, J., Fawsitt, R., & Cullen, W. (2026). Implementation and evaluation of a primary care practice based research network in the Ireland East region. BMC Primary Care. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-026-03555-4

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12875-026-03555-4

Keywords: practice-based research networks, primary care, general practice, general practitioners, Ireland East region, UCD/Ireland East GP Research Network, health system integration, academic capacity, clinician-researcher collaboration, RE-AIM framework, social network analysis, chronic disease management, mental health research, mixed-methods evaluation, research engagement, secondary care integration