Effectiveness of a Fully Online Scientific Research Works Peer Support Group Model for Research Capacity Building Through Conducting Systematic Reviews Among Health Care Professionals: Retrospective Cohort Studies.

Background: Research capacity building (RCB) among health care professionals remains limited, particularly for those working outside academic institutions. Japan is experiencing a decline in original clinical research due to insufficient RCB infrastructure. Our previous hospital-based workshops were effective but faced geographical and sustainability constraints. We developed a fully online Scientific Research Works Peer Support Group (SRWS-PSG) model that addresses 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 health care professionals. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of health care professionals who participated in the SRWS-PSG program between September 2019 and January 2025. Mentees progressed through a structured modular curriculum covering systematic review methodology, from protocol development to manuscript preparation, with personalized mentoring support. We evaluated manuscript submission, program discontinuation, promotion to a mentor status, and mentor response time. We collected data from program records and chat logs. Manuscript submission was defined as mentor-confirmed submission of a systematic review manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal. Program discontinuation referred to formal withdrawal before manuscript submission. Mentor promotion was defined as acceptance of an invitation to serve as a junior mentor after manuscript submission. Mentor response time was the elapsed time from a mentee's question in the chat to the first reply by an assigned mentor. Results: Of 85 mentees analyzed, 31 (36.5%) held academic degrees (PhD or MPH), and 68 (80%) were medical doctors. During a median follow-up of 10 months, 51 (60%) submitted manuscripts and 46 (90%) became mentors. Ten mentees (12%) discontinued the program. The median mentor response time was 0.8 hours, with 90% responding within 24 hours. Conclusions: A majority of participants of SRWS-PSG submitted manuscripts. This fully online RCB program might address geographical barriers and provides an adaptable approach for RCB across diverse health care contexts.