Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Medical Education
Date Submitted: Jun 12, 2025
Open Peer Review Period: Jul 4, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025
Date Accepted: Sep 9, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Effectiveness of a Fully Online Scientific Research WorkS Peer Support Group Model for Research Capacity Building through Conducting Systematic Reviews Among Healthcare Professionals: A Retrospective Cohort Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Research capacity building (RCB) among healthcare professionals remains limited, particularly for those working outside academic institutions. Japan experiences a decline in original clinical research due to insufficient RCB infrastructure. Our previous hospital-based workshops showed effectiveness but faced geographical and sustainability constraints. We developed a fully online Scientific Research WorkS Peer Support Group (SRWS-PSG) model that eliminates geographical and time-bound constraints and establishes a sustainable economic model. Mentees use online materials, receive support from mentors via a communication platform after formulating their research question, and transition into mentors upon publication.
Objective:
We evaluated whether our model's theoretical benefits translated into actual program effectiveness in RCB among healthcare professionals.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of healthcare professionals who participated in the SRWS-PSG program between September 2019 and January 2025. Mentees received online mentoring for their systematic review projects. We evaluated time from mentee enrollment to manuscript submission, program continuation, and mentor response time. We collected data from online chat logs between mentees and mentors, and self-reported manuscript submission status, and analyzed data using descriptive statistics.
Results:
Of 85 mentees analyzed, 31 (36.5%) held academic degrees (PhD or MPH), and 68 (80.0%) were medical doctors. During a median follow-up of 10 months, 51 (60.0%) submitted manuscripts, and 46 (90.0%) became mentors. Ten mentees (12%) discontinued the program. Of 51 submitted manuscripts, 50 were published in English peer-reviewed journals. Median mentor response time was 0.8 hours, with 90% responding within 24 hours.
Conclusions:
The SRWS-PSG model effectively developed research capabilities among healthcare professionals. This fully online RCB program eliminates geographical barriers and provides an adaptable approach for research capacity development across diverse healthcare contexts. Clinical Trial: not applicable
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