Supporting research in primary care: Are practice-based research networks the missing link?

• Despite the size and importance of primary health care (including general practice) within the health system, traditional research output has been relatively low, both here and overseas. • General-practice a nd primary-care research in Australia has been criticised for the preponderance of small-scale, descriptive and survey-based studies. If we are to conduct larger-scale clinical, epidemiological and health-services research, new structures and processes are needed. • The research networks set up under the first phase of the Australian Government's Primary Health Care Research, Evaluation and Development (PHCRED) Strategy have tended to focus on up-skilling, research literacy and dissemination. This is important, but for general-practice research to evolve, a new type of practice-based research network is needed. • These new practice-based networks requi re commitment and funding from policymakers, a base in academic departments, plus active involvement from Divisions of General Practice and the practitioners themselves.