How the newly published IPCRG research priorities can help in your work
We are delighted that the new IPCRG research priorities are now published in our partner journal, the npjPCRM. This will be an important resource for researchers looking to determine where to put their efforts and should be cited to support research decisions and substantiate research work.
We aim to guide researchers, research funders, and policymakers on their investments in respiratory research, to ultimately improve patient care globally. The central role of primary care in preventing, diagnosing, and managing respiratory health means to improve practice, future research must account for the areas that are relevant and important to the primary care community; those on the front-line.
The paper describes the evidence primary care clinicians want to improve the value of guidelines to their practice, and to improve their care for patients with respiratory problems. 112 community-based physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals from 27 high- middle- and low-income countries gave their research priorities. These were reviewed by an expert board of academics to ensure they represented gaps in current research and were then prioritised by the primary care community. These results have updated our research priorities from 2012.
Main Findings in the Paper
Tuberculosis and pneumonia together, Infectious respiratory diseases, were mentioned most (35%) and were also of highest concern (30%) – the study was completed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Asthma and COPD were the most frequently mentioned single respiratory diseases (17 % and 15%) and the single diseases of most concern (26% and 25%). The most frequent specific questions were around COPD management and asthma self-management.
The key questions
The top priority questions show us finding the best ways to manage cough, asthma and COPD as well as to reduce tobacco use are vital in helping primary care tackle respiratory health.
We also see that COPD management has the most final research questions included, followed by Asthma self management. The range of respiratory issues though is reflected in the third area, other respiratory questions.
We believe that concerted efforts to fund and deliver research that answers these questions will make a significant difference to the lives of people living with respiratory problems.
We encourage responses to the paper and for colleagues to disseminate the results among your networks. You could respond with a Comment or Matters Arising to the journal, on social media or through press and publications work. Please also let us know of any responses that you make or contact us for more information.
We were also pleased to have been able to offer the opportunity to lead the paper to an Early Career Researcher (ECR), first author Arwa Abdel-Aal, supported by Rachel Jordan. This is part of our wider push to support and involve ECRs in our work.
The paper is available on our website, as well as that of the npjPCRM. You can read further details here, download the accompanying slideset which can be used in presentations, and find the full citation. Please ensure that the paper and the IPCRG is fully cited when used.