Research Engagement and Continuing Education Priorities in Community Pharmacies: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Catalonia

Background: Community pharmacies are well positioned to generate real-world evidence and contribute to pharmacy practice research. However, their involvement in this facet of practice is limited. This study aimed to assess the current level of research engagement among community pharmacies affiliated with Ramon Llull University (Catalonia, Spain), identify factors influencing participation in research, and explore pharmacists’ continuing education needs. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 370 accredited community pharmacies between February and April 2025. The questionnaire collected information on demographic characteristics, professional services, research and teaching activities, perceived barriers and facilitators to research participation, and continuing professional development. Descriptive analyses were performed. Results: A total of 110 pharmacies completed the survey. Most respondents were pharmacy owners (89.1%) with more than 10 years of professional experience. Although 77.3% of respondents had supervised pharmacy students during their professional placements, only 28.2% had participated in clinical research, and 20% had contributed to scientific publications. Personal interest, collaboration with research-promoting organizations, and interdisciplinary cooperation were identified as the main facilitators of research participation. Conversely, lack of time and insufficient staffing were the principal barriers. Almost all respondents (92%) had participated in continuing education during the previous year, with therapeutic innovations and health promotion identified as the highest-priority educational topics. Online and hybrid learning formats were preferred over exclusively face-to-face education. Conclusions: Community pharmacists demonstrate a strong commitment to professional development but remain underrepresented in research activities. Structural barriers, particularly workload and workforce limitations, continue to hinder research participation. Strengthening collaborative research networks, increasing institutional support, and expanding research training opportunities may facilitate the integration of research into routine community pharmacy practice and enhance the generation of real-world evidence.