title: Primary care research network progress in Scotland.
abstract: Many developed industrialized countries perceive considerable value in developing practice based research networks. In this paper, the development of the Scottish Primary Care Research Network (SPCRN) from 1924-2013 is described. After a false start in the early twentieth century and some local developments 10-15 years ago, the Scottish Primary Care Research Network was finally built upon existing networks of teaching and training practices centred on research active departments of general practice and primary care. This meant that a climate already favourable to research existed and several of the necessary skills were available. Long-term funding commitment to the network by the National Health Service meant that the infrastructure could be developed in the knowledge that it would be likely to become incorporated into wider Scottish and UK systems. Two-thirds of Scottish practices regularly participate in research at a rate of 50-60 studies each year, which result in a range of publications that influence clinical decisions and health policy. As the success of the network grows, greater demands are placed upon it, and the capacity of practices to continue to engage in research may be tested.
authors.affiliation: The University of Toronto Practice Based Research Network , Ontario , Canada.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hinds
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pitkethly
authors.forename: Shaun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Treweek
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wyke
mesh_terms: D005194:Family Practice; D006291:Health Policy; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012606:Scotland
keywords: Primary care; clinical trials; general practice; health services research