Research
Primary care research systematically investigates health, illness, and care delivery in community settings, with the aim of improving patient outcomes, informing practice, and guiding healthcare policies through evidence-based insights.
Topics
The topics researched can be broad-reaching. Clinical research can address the entire patient journey, from clinical decision-making and diagnosis, through patient communication, to treatment, management and prognosis. Research may also investigate the way in which health services are delivered, including diverse issues such as health inequalities, patient experiences and system-level policies. Our Special Interest Groups provide some insight into the variety of topics SAPC members study.
Methodology
The diverse subject matter for primary care research necessitates use of a wide range of methodologies, both quantitative and qualitative. For example, research studies may involve in-depth interviews with merely a handful of professionals; others, might require the recruitment of hundreds of patients to a clinical trial over many months; and some research can include the analysis of data from thousands or even millions of routine health records. Some examples are shown below.
Making a difference
Much of the research conducted by SAPC members has informed meaningful improvements in primary care practice, by working with a range of public and professional partners, including the NHS.
Impact
Learn more about how SAPC is making a difference to primary care practice and policy
Working with people
Find out how working with patients and public informs the research undertaken by our members
Engagement & partnerships
Discover which organisations and professional partners we work with to help make a difference