ABSTRACT Aims: To develop a mechanism to write three research protocols within 10 hours while simultaneously enhancing the research protocol writing skills of participants. Method: Members of the General Practitioners In Asthma Group (GPIAG) were invited to attend a research protocol workshop with pre- and post- workshop questionnaires. The main outcome measures were the development of three detailed research protocols and improvement in participants’ perceived research protocol writing skills. Results: Three detailed research protocols were completed within the time allocated. Thirty (88%) participants completed pre- and post-workshop questionnaires. Participants believed there were improvements in their ability to formulate an answerable research question (p < 0.01), choose an appropriate methodology to answer the question (p < 0.01), choose appropriate outcome measures (p = 0.03), choose appropriate statistical methods (p = 0.01), devise a research timetable (p < 0.01), and improve their overall ability to write a research protocol (p < 0.01). Conclusion: It is possible to identify a mechanism, based on a weekend workshop, to write accelerated research protocols whilst simultaneously significantly increasing the research protocol writing skills of participants. This approach has potential to promote the development of research skills within primary care. INTRODUCTION Although over 90% of all doctor–patient interactions take place within general practice, only a very small proportion of medical research is planned or undertaken in primary care. 1 In order to promote and develop the discipline of evidence- based medicine, there is a pressing need to increase the research capacity of primary care 2,3 while simultaneously recognising the time constraints faced by general practitioners (GPs) and their teams. Important developments thus far include: the formation of academic departments of general practice, the establishment of a number of GP research networks, funding of GP academic fellowships, and the availability of money specifically earmarked for primary care research. 4,5 The GPIAG is a special interest professional group committed to improving patient care and promoting high quality research in the field of respiratory medicine. 6 It has been in existence since 1987, currently has a membership of 780, and has recently established The GPIAG Chair in Primary Care Respiratory Medicine at Aberdeen University. Developing and writing a study protocol is a fundamental step in the research process, requiring considerable time and expertise. 7,8 We report an initiative in which the GPIAG sought to develop and implement a mechanism to write three research protocols, within a weekend workshop, while simultaneously improving the perceived study protocol writing skills of those participating. METHODS All 780 members of the GPIAG were sent written invitations to participate in the Research Protocol Workshop, which was held over a weekend in London in December 1998. Pre-workshop preparation Ideas for research, of relevance to respiratory medicine and primary care, were sought from all those who declared an intention to attend under the following headings: 1. The nature of the problem and the possible research area 2. The idea, refined as far as possible, into a research question 3. Why this area of research is important to primary care 4. In which way will the answer to this question / problem change the way we work in primary care, or why the answer would benefit our patients 5. Ways in which the problem may be approached 6. The possibility of obtaining funding for this particular idea. Submissions of these outline research proposals were sought on the understanding that the ‘ownership’ of a study resulting from an idea would be transferred to the GPIAG. We undertook to offer a lead role to those individuals whose ideas were selected to be developed at the workshop. Seven GPIAG members, a research facilitator and a specialist respiratory nurse with research experience, were identified as ‘workshop group leaders’. All research proposals were circulated electronically to the nine group leaders. Three group leaders were allocated to each of the three protocol working groups. The group leaders were invited to choose two research ideas to be presented to each of their protocol working groups. Two weeks before the workshop all delegates (group leaders and participants) were asked to complete a structured questionnaire enquiring about particular areas of research expertise. Declared skills (previous research expertise, peer reviewed published papers, literature search skills, and critical reading ability) were used to divide participants into three groups to ensure a broad range of research skills in each. Resources for the workshop A medical statistician was present on the first day to offer assistance to the groups. Each of the three groups were provided with a stand-alone personal computer, a printer and modem facilities to access Asthma in General Practice 39 Original Research Writing research protocols: An innovative approach A Sheikh and ML Levy on behalf of the General Practitioners In Asthma Group Aziz Sheikh Clinical Research Fellow Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, Imperial College School of Medicine, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG, UK Mark Levy General Practitioner The Kenton Bridge Medical Centre, 155–175 Kenton Road, Kenton, Middlesex HA3 0YX, UK Correspondence to: Dr ML Levy marklevy@gpiag- asthma.org Date received: 25/06/99 Date accepted: 30/06/99 Asthma Gen Pract 1999;7(3):39–42