Barriers to Participation of Beneficiaries in Healthcare Research Projects: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Study

Evidence indicates that conducting research, especially within the health sector, is associated with numerous challenges, notably those related to individual participation. This study aimed to identify the barriers affecting stakeholder participation in healthcare research. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2025 employing a mixed-methods design comprising two distinct phases: a systematic review of reviews and an exploratory qualitative interview approach. During the initial phase, multiple databases were systematically searched. In the subsequent phase, 17 unstructured interviews were conducted with university faculty members. Data analysis was performed in accordance with the Boyatzis framework for thematic analysis. The systematic review resulted in the inclusion of 20 studies. The findings indicated that multiple thematic barriers hinder individual participation in healthcare research projects, including Communication Barriers, Attitudinal Barriers and Motivational Deterrents, Structural and Institutional Challenges, Awareness and Knowledge-Related Challenges, and Research and Methodology-Related Challenges. The interview data corroborated approximately 77% of the findings reported in previously published studies within the literature. Overall, Structural and Institutional Challenges emerged as the most frequently cited barriers impeding beneficiary participation in healthcare projects. The study’s findings identified multiple thematic barriers restricting individual participation in healthcare research projects. These findings can be leveraged by relevant stakeholders within the context to promote participation in such projects through an evidence-based approach.