Tutor PHC 2023 | Exploring the Global Landscape of Primary Health Care Research

I recently had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Transdisciplinary Understanding and Training on Research - Primary Health Care (TUTOR-PHC) programme – supported by NIHR SPCR. This year-long programme starts with an in-person symposium in Canada, and is followed by several asynchronous online workshops, discussion groups and opportunities to explore ideas for collaboration.

Attending the in-person symposium in London, Ontario was a huge personal highlight. Not only were Canadian researchers well represented, but other international primary care researchers were present: from India, France, Germany and the United States. Across the meeting, one of the most striking aspects of my experience was the diversity of attendees. I had the privilege of meeting researchers, policy makers, and healthcare workers but all with shared interests in Primary Health Care Research. We gathered to share our knowledge, experiences, insights, and personal challenges.

What stood out most vividly during our interactions was how healthcare systems differ significantly from one country to another. These structural differences often play a pivotal role in shaping the type of research that individuals and institutions undertake. It's fascinating to see how different approaches are taken to tackle similar healthcare challenges, highlighting the importance of context and adaptation.

The symposium was a true melting pot of ideas and perspectives. We delved into a wide array of topics that are crucial for modern healthcare research:

1. Knowledge Mobilization: We spoke about how in a rapidly changing world the ability to effectively mobilize and disseminate knowledge is paramount. We discussed innovative strategies to ensure that research findings make a real-world impact – with both senior and junior researchers presenting their own examples from their research.

2. Interdisciplinary Research Teams: The symposium emphasized the power of interdisciplinary research teams and how they can generate holistic solutions. We had training from senior researchers on how to go about building teams and effective strategies for leadership.

3. Patient & Community Engagement: Engaging with patients and communities is central to effective healthcare research. We explored the importance of their perspectives in shaping research and healthcare practices. This kind of PPIE work is quite common within NIHR circles today and is a very critical issue in Canada for historical reasons involving first-nation communities. However, it was apparent that the focus on patient and community engagement was less stressed in some countries – and provided great opportunities for discussing the merits and challenges of PPIE.

4. Engaging with Policy Makers: Bridging the gap between research and policy was recognised as a critical step for our research. Our discussions highlighted the strategies to engage with policymakers to drive positive change. What was also unique was the presence of several junior and senior colleagues working in policy matters (e.g., for Canadian

Government). Their perspective often differed from those more solely research focused – and certainly gave me lots of food for thought about how I can better highlight my research for policy makers.

5. Proposal Writing in Collaborative Teams: A significant portion of the symposium focused on practical skills in crafting compelling research proposals. We honed our skills in writing proposals that stand out and resonate with funding organizations – doing short exercises and getting feedback from experienced senior researchers.

Throughout the event, and after, I had the pleasure of making meaningful connections and forming relationships with international colleagues. The program brought together passionate individuals who are dedicated to advancing primary health care. These connections also had a personal element, there was a real sense of camaraderie among like-minded individuals.

As I reflect on my time with TUTOR-PHC, I look forward to the future. I am excited about the potential collaborations that may emerge from this experience. It was a reminder of the shared purpose that unites researchers and healthcare professionals worldwide.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to have been part of TUTOR-PHC and look forward to putting