Prioritising primary care respiratory research needs: results from the 2020 International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) global e-Delphi exercise
Respiratory diseases remain a significant cause of global morbidity and mortality and primary care plays a central role in their prevention, diagnosis and management. An e-Delphi process was employed to identify and prioritise the current respiratory research needs of primary care health professionals worldwide. One hundred and twelve community-based physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals from 27 high-, middle- and low-income countries suggested 608 initial research questions, reduced after evidence review by 27 academic experts to 176 questions covering diagnosis, management, monitoring, self-management and prognosis of asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions (including infections, lung cancer, tobacco control, sleep apnoea). Forty-nine questions reached 80% consensus for importance. Cross-cutting themes identified were: a need for more effective training of primary care clinicians; evidence and guidelines specifically relevant to primary care, adaption for local and low-resource settings; empowerment of patients to improve self-management; and the role of the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Citation:
Abdel-Aal A, Lisspers K, Williams S, Adab P, Adams R, Agarwal D, Barnard A, Bouloukaki I, van Boven JFM, Chavannes N, Dickens AP, van Gemert F, Escarrer M, Haroon S, Kayongo A, Kirenga B, Kocks JWH, Kotz D, Newby C, McNulty C, Metting E, Moral L, Papadakis S, Pinnock H, Price D, Ryan D, Singh SJ, Correia de Sousa J, Ställberg B, Szefler SJ, Taylor SJC, Tsiligianni I, Turner A, Weller D, Yusuf O, Tabyshova AK, Jordan RE. Prioritising primary care respiratory research needs: results from the 2020 International Primary Care Respiratory Group (IPCRG) global e-Delphi exercise. NPJ Prim Care Respir Med. 2022 Jan 28;32(1):6. doi: 10.1038/s41533-021-00266-4. PMID: 35091570.