Abstract
Background While the need for applying research evidence to clinical practice is widely recognised, informing healthcare practitioners that an intervention is effective is not enough for them to deliver it. To improve implementation of research findings in general practice, we must gain a better understanding of how knowledge is discovered, generated, and incorporated by frontline staff in their daily work.
Aim To understand how primary care professionals use evidence and work individually, as well as with colleagues and patients, to manage complex chronic conditions.
Method Qualitative study involving observations of clinical consultations and practice meetings and focus groups with healthcare professionals across six primary care practices in Yorkshire. The data collection period is July 2024–November 2024.
Results Preliminary results indicate that health professionals access and interpret knowledge drawing from various sources, from previous experience to fast-paced pattern identification using patients’ key words in context, guided by resources (for example, checklists). Practice cultures that make room for research discussions help improve the critical use of evidence and foster the staff’s collective confidence in a shared commitment to whole person medicine.
Conclusion The integration of experiential knowledge and collaborative real-time problem-solving highlights the complexity of decision-making in a fast-paced environment like primary care. To improve the implementation of research findings, strategic practice meetings that discuss new research, along with easily accessible and concise materials, are essential. These materials, however, can only act as guidance and need to be complemented by key knowledge of the patient’s context.
