Seeding research at the coal face: evaluation of an australian regional primary care capacity building initiative.

Abstract

Primary care research capacity is hindered by fragmented systems, limited protected clinician time, and poorly developed pathways for translating evidence into practice. The Translating Research Outcomes into the Primary Health Interface (TROPHI) initiative was established in outer Eastern Melbourne, Australia, to address these challenges by strengthening regional research capacity, fostering collaboration between primary care and academic sectors, and supporting research translation. TROPHI was funded by Windermere Foundation. To evaluate the implementation and early impact of TROPHI, focusing on its ability to build interdisciplinary networks, enhance research capacity, and facilitate primary care research. Our hybrid evaluation was set in outer Eastern Melbourne, Australia METHOD: Our evaluation was informed by Cooke's framework for research capacity development and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We analysed study documents and conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 TROPHI staff, award recipients, partners, consumers, and funders. TROPHI established a regional interdisciplinary network and created accessible entry points into research for clinicians through mentorship, bursaries, fellowships, and seed funding. Participants reported increased research skills, confidence, and engagement, alongside early examples of translation into practice. Over three years, TROPHI leveraged an initial AUD$1M philanthropic investment into more than AUD$3M in competitive grants. Implementation was supported by established organisational partnerships but required substantial contributions from staff at lead organisations. TROPHI strengthened primary care research capacity by fostering partnerships and supporting clinicians, generating regional momentum. It represents a promising model for regional capacity building. Sustained impact will require ongoing investment, broader workforce engagement, and stronger integration with systems.