Connect
MJA
MJA

General practice research networks: gateway to primary care evidence

Chris van Weel
Med J Aust 2002; 177 (2): 62-63. || doi: 10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04666.x
Published online: 15 July 2002

Research networks can change the culture of biomedical science

In fact, the systematic exploration of the content of daily practice is the vital first step in the process of developing general practice.3 Founding practice-based research networks can enhance this process. But the role of research networks stretches beyond this initial development phase. General practice research networks in the United States, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have, by tapping into patient care, made it possible to recruit large numbers of unselected patients from different practices for epidemiological and clinical research, to conduct effectiveness studies, and to study the process of care in general practice.2 To meet the local or regional needs of general practice, research networks have had to adapt. For instance, whereas networks in north-western Europe have focused on non-communicable chronic diseases,4 the South African practice-based research network, not surprisingly, concentrates on care of patients with HIV/AIDS.5 These different targets can lead to different organisational requirements, and should make us wary of standardised models. In this issue of the Journal, Gunn (page 63) reviews general practice research networks for Australian primary care, building from the UK and Dutch experience.6

Given the strong historic links, it is attractive to base Australian developments on the vast experience in the UK, but Gunn rightly emphasises that the important thing to consider is what networks produce, rather than how they are constructed. This is in line with European experience, where research networks have had to be flexible — not just in their clinical orientation but, more importantly, in how they fit the way biomedical research is organised, because research networks are part of the broader academic development of general practice. In the UK,7 the National Health Service is an important financial supporter of research and development, including research networks. More recently, the US has seen similar developments.8 In the Netherlands, where universities have traditionally played a key role in general practice research, research networks are linked to university departments of general practice.9 These organisational differences have implications: a university-based structure places practice networks in direct contact with academic research programs, suggesting a "top-down" approach, whereas stimulating practitioners to initiate research would enhance a more "bottom-up" generation of questions from actual patient care.

Research networks need both links. A strong grassroots general practice link is vital to generate research questions to improve patient care. However, a connection to the overall organisation of biomedical research is essential to ensure scientific rigour. In the UK, Australia, the US and the Netherlands, practice networks are closely connected to centres for advanced education for research in primary care,10 and these centres of excellence, with their comprehensive research programs, can play a pivotal role in ensuring quality research. Research networks are a tool, not a means in themselves, so their organisational structure should be secondary to scientific and healthcare considerations.

The complexity of general practice lies in the context of disease: the interaction between the disease and the patient's family and socioeconomic circumstances, the setting of the doctor–patient encounter, and values attached to illness and treatment.11 A major challenge for research networks is to include this context in their data. A successful example is the International Study of Errors in Family Practice, in which practice-based research networks in six countries — including Australia12 (page 68) — were able to collect data on errors in a way that allowed the contribution of medical and patient-related factors to be analysed. From this it will be possible to draw realistic recommendations to prevent errors in the general practice setting.

The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA)13 has formed a group that brings together the research leaders and participating GPs from practice-based research networks in different countries.5 This group is open to any general practice research network in the world, and is particularly trying to include networks in developing countries. Meetings are organised to share experience and develop methods for data collection. In addition, an Internet mailing list provides an ongoing forum. This group is testimony to the coming of age of general practice, and its mission is likely to reach beyond general practice — scientists are increasingly aware of the need for community-based longitudinal data to evaluate innovative developments such as advances in genetics.

Research networks can change the culture of biomedical science by shifting the focus of research from technology in the hospital to patients and their diseases in the community. Furthermore, networks can build general practice research capacity. The Dutch university-based research networks are a case in point, having made a substantial contribution to academic primary care research capacity and output, and the development of evidence-based general practice guidelines.9

General practice research networks can have substantial impacts on research, and their structure and financing require the attention of the scientific community. Ultimately, though, their future depends on the quality of their contribution to biomedical research.

Received 16 May 2002, accepted 4 June 2002

  • Chris van Weel

  • Department of General Practice, University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.


Correspondence: c.vanweel@hsv.kun.nl

  • 1. Van de Lisdonk EH, van den Bosch WJHM, Huygen FJA, Lagro-Janssen ALM, editors. Ziekten in de huisartspraktijk. 3rd ed. Maarssen: Bunge/Elsevier, 1999.
  • 2. van Weel C, Smith H, Beasley JW. Family practice research networks — experience from three countries. J Fam Pract 2000; 49: 938-943.
  • 3. White KL, Williams TF, Greenberg BG. The ecology of medical care. N Engl J Med 1961; 265: 885-892.
  • 4. de Grauw WJC, van Gerwen WHEM, van de Lisdonk EH, et al. Outcomes of audit-enhanced monitoring of patients with type 2 diabetes. J Fam Pract 2002; 51: 459-464.
  • 5. International Federation of Primary Care Research Networks. <http://www.ifpcrn.org/>. Accessed 3 June 2002.
  • 6. Gunn J. Should Australia develop primary care research networks? Med J Aust 2002; 177: 63-66. <eMJA full text>
  • 7. Mant D. Research and development in primary care. National Working Group Report. Wetherby: UK Department of Health, 1997.
  • 8. Nutting PA, Beasley JW, Werner JJ. Asking and answering questions in practice: practice-based research networks build the science base of family practice. JAMA 1999; 281: 686-688.
  • 9. Interfacultair Overleg Huisartsgeneeskunde. Rapportage Academisch Werkveld Huisartsgeneeskunde 1992–1997 [Interfaculty Council of General Practice. Report on the results of the academic practices network 1992–1997]. Nijmegen: Department of General practice, University of Nijmegen, 1998.
  • 10. The Brisbane Initiative: International Advanced Education for Primary Care Research. International Primary Care Research Meeting, Brisbane, 15 March 2002.
  • 11. van Weel C. Examination of context of medicine. Lancet 2001; 357: 733-734.
  • 12. Makeham M, Dovey S, County M, Kidd M. The Primary Care International Study of Medical Errors: outcomes of the Australian experience. Med J Aust 2002; 177: 68-72. <eMJA full text>
  • 13. Global Family Doctor — WONCA Online. Website of the World Organization of Family Doctors. <http://www.globalfamilydoctor.com>. Accessed 3 June 2002.

Author

remove_circle_outline Delete Author
add_circle_outline Add Author

Comment
Do you have any competing interests to declare? *

I/we agree to assign copyright to the Medical Journal of Australia and agree to the Conditions of publication *
I/we agree to the Terms of use of the Medical Journal of Australia *
Email me when people comment on this article

Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.