Conducting research in general practice: lessons learnt from experience

Abstract

Issue addressed: The increased focus on evidence-based practice and the World Health Organization (WHO) settings approach to health promotion have contributed to an increase in the importance of health promotion activity and therefore research being undertaken in the general practice setting. Primary care-based trials represent major investments in time and resources for researchers, health professionals and patients, and there are several methodological and logistical issues that need to be considered. The costs of failed trials are potentially significant and include wasted resources, opportunity costs of participants' time and discouragement of primary care professionals from co-operating with further research.