Project Description

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[ This project was initiated in early 2003. Five Delphi survey rounds were implemented and completed over a three month period (April 6 – July 7, 2003). The following project description was posted in early April, 2003. ]

The main purpose of this study is to develop an agenda for research in rural family medicine in Alberta, based on the perspectives, concerns and interests of practicing rural family physicians.

1. identify a strategic direction for research in rural family medicine in Alberta
2. encourage Alberta rural family physicians to participate in, and contribute to rural health research.

A number of recent initiatives support the need for the current study. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) have announced a series of initiatives to promote the development of rural health research (pdf document). Two reports related to this initiative are available which summarize a range of research priorities for rural health (pdf document; pdf document). An earlier report by Dr. Mo Watanabe, with A. Casebeer, also addressed the question of rural health research priorities based on proceedings of the Rural Health Research Summit in Prince George, BC, October 23-25, 1999 (pdf document). Research areas listed in these reports have served to highlight the need for research directed to rural health concerns and issues. However, these recommendations have not been priorized in relation to relative importance, or assessed in relation to concerns that are specific to rural family medicine.

At a Rural Research Forum held in March (sponsored by Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development), Monica Kohlhammer (RPAP Rural Physician Consultant, South) reported that “participants agreed on the need to develop a rural research agenda that is inspiring, realistic and strategic” (pdf document).

We have invited a number of family physicians practicing in rural Alberta with a good level of experience and interest in rural family medicine (in relation to research and/or practice) to participate in this study as expert informants. Using an on-line Delphi survey approach, we hope to identify 10 or so research priorities that are relevant to rural family medicine in Alberta.

We extend our sincere thanks to all of you for agreeing to participate - your contribution is very much valued and appreciated!

We also invite others who may be interested in the results of this study to watch this website. We expect to post the finding of this project on this website in September 2003 (see “Findings”). In addition, we are currently planning several workshops and conference presentations that address the results of the present study. Upcoming dates and venues will be posted as information becomes available (see “Events”).

We look forward to developing and implementing a research agenda for rural family medicine in Alberta with the input and involvement of family physicians across rural Alberta!