Ranked list of research questions across study countries
| Research questions | Mean | SD |
| What are the minimum sets of standardised and applicable quality and patient safety indicators to monitor PHC performance at national and regional levels? | 13.26 | 2.18 |
| What risk and safety management approaches can be adopted to enhance patient safety in primary healthcare? | 13.21 | 2.20 |
| What regulatory and administrative measures can be implemented to promote rational drug prescribing in primary healthcare? | 13.09 | 2.23 |
| What are the most effective methods for training clinicians in quality improvement? | 13.00 | 2.22 |
| What strategies are effective in promoting equitable access to primary healthcare among the most vulnerable population? | 12.93 | 5.43 |
| Which strategies are effective in promoting multisectoral actions on non-communicable diseases prevention and control? | 12.66 | 2.02 |
| What is the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of clinical and computerised decision support system for management of chronic diseases in primary healthcare? | 12.55 | 2.44 |
| What is the impact of primary healthcare accreditation on clinical outcomes? | 12.30 | 2.77 |
| Which recruitment and retention strategies are effective in addressing equitable distribution of health workers, improving provider competency and enhancing satisfaction with primary healthcare? | 12.27 | 2.27 |
| How can the design of health information systems be strengthened in supporting primary healthcare performance? | 12.26 | 2.68 |
| What are the minimum system needs for effective reporting of medical errors in primary healthcare settings? | 12.21 | 2.45 |
| What measures can be implemented to enhance professional development and team work in primary healthcare? | 12.02 | 2.73 |
| What is the impact of pay for performance schemes on provider competency and clinical outcomes in primary healthcare settings? | 11.93 | 2.56 |
| What is the impact of public reporting on provider competency, patient experience of care, organisational performance and clinical outcomes? | 11.82 | 2.45 |
| What changes are needed to ensure newly graduated primary healthcare workers are competent? | 11.77 | 3.07 |
| What are the key factors that influence the design of an effective pay for performance system in primary healthcare? | 11.64 | 2.62 |
| What is the impact of community participation in primary healthcare on access, equity, patient experience of care and clinical outcomes? | 11.60 | 2.78 |
| How can task shifting be optimised to address healthcare worker shortages and skill mix imbalances in primary healthcare? | 11.56 | 2.92 |
| What are the barriers and facilitators to effective implementation of nurse-led care in primary healthcare settings? | 11.55 | 3.20 |
| What are the barriers and facilitators to the integration of medical and social care provision, with a particular focus on youth-friendly services and programmers into primary healthcare? | 11.55 | 3.10 |
| What are the factors that influence inter-professional team work in primary healthcare settings? | 11.48 | 2.59 |
| What strategies are effective in ensuring proper integration of community and citizen engagements in primary healthcare planning and delivery? | 11.47 | 2.90 |
| What are the implications of decentralisation on health system arrangement (governance, financing and delivery arrangements)? | 11.45 | 3.17 |
| What are the individual competencies for effective leadership/management at PHC facility levels? | 11.39 | 3.08 |
| What are the barriers and facilitators to implement decentralisation at the levels of the Ministry of Health and governorates? | 11.39 | 3.58 |
| How to successfully implement decentralisation throughout the whole health system (including effective strategies and tools)? | 11.35 | 3.47 |
| How does the adoption of public scorecard affect the performance of primary healthcare professionals? | 11.33 | 2.77 |
| What is the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ‘health apps’/mHealth interventions in improving health outcomes in primary healthcare? | 11.14 | 2.73 |
| What are the institutional capacities and human resources needs in the decentralised setting? | 11.09 | 3.44 |
| What care models are effective in integrating adolescent health needs into primary healthcare services? | 11.09 | 2.79 |
| What is the impact of multisource feedback (or 360° evaluation) on provider competence, patient–provider interactions and clinical outcomes? | 10.98 | 2.54 |
| What is the impact of different leadership styles on PHC quality measures? | 10.61 | 3.03 |
| What is the perception of patients regarding substitution of physicians by nurses in primary healthcare settings? | 9.98 | 3.42 |
| How can community members be empowered to monitor performance of primary care providers or facilities? | 9.95 | 3.01 |
PHC, primary healthcare.