Research Opportunities in Primary Care

Over 90% of contact between patients and doctors takes place in general practice, making it a valuable research arena, but many members of the primary care team are unaware of the opportunities for them to do research. This book provides information on the research options for individuals and practices, and describes research work undertaken recently by GPs and their teams in a variety of practice settings. It is easy to read, and assumes no previous knowledge of the subject. It is ideal for GPs and all members of the primary healthcare team, especially practice and community nurses, GP registrars and pharmacists. Research Opportunities in Primary Care covers everything from being part of a research network to undertaking a higher degree, and describes the impact of research involvement on the professional and the practice. Sections of each chapter are written by people actually doing research in this setting, to give a ''hands on'' feel of what it means in practical terms. This new text creates a set of practical notes enhanced by specific examples of service-based activity. It complements Research Methods in Primary Care, which introduces the range of relevant skills to provide a solid basis for starting research.