The contribution of EGPRN to primary care research exchange and training

1
The contribution of EGPRN to primary care
research exchange and training

• Van Royen Paul , Chair EGPRN ,
• Conference on the future of PHC in Europe,
  Utrecht 2006

2
Present situation in Europe

• Recognition of primary care
• Large differences in health care organisation and
  the role of primary care
• Large differences in PC research capacity

3
PC research in crisis ?
4
Need for PC Research

• Underpinning its claims for prevention, cure and
  care
• Bulk of care is delivered in primary care
• Need for research in the setting where its
  results are to be used
• Providing evidence for guidelines and tools

5
Answers from EGPRN
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Core content of PC research

• Research on clinical issues (common diseases,
  chronic diseases, risk groups) incl diagnostic
  strategies, health promotion and long-term
  management
• Health services research incl. primary care
  morbidity registration
• Research on education and teaching

7
History

• EGPRN (formerly known as EGPRW)
• Started in 1974
• GPs and other health care professionals in
  research in PC and family medicine
• 1996 represented in ESGP
• 2003 changed to EGPRN as network

8
EGPRN to date

• Only independent generic organisation for PC
  research in Europe
• More than 400 individual members from more than
  30 European countries

9
New challenges

• Need for research training and capacity building
• Promote and stimulate research in GP/PC all over
  Europe

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EGPRN objectives

• Exchange ideas, methodology and results of
  primary care research
• Networking individuals and organisations
• Capacity building encourage primary care
  research in all European countries

11
Research capacity building

• A process of individual and institutional
  development which leads to higher levels of
  skills and greater ability to perform useful
  research (Trostle J, 1992)
• An approach to the development of sustainable
  skills, organizational structures, resources and
  commitment to health improvement (Albert E,
  Mickan 2002)

12
Six principles of capacity building (Cooke JM
2005)

• develop skills and confidence
• support linkages and partnerships
• ensure the research is close to practice
• develop appropriate dissemination
• invest in infrastructure
• build elements of sustainability and continuity

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Principles of capacity building
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EGPRN what how?

• Scientific meetings across Europe 2/yr
• Highly interactive
• Challenging supportive atmosphere
• Travel subsidies East-Eu/NIS countries
• Research Courses basic specialised
• Promoting international collaborative research
• Initiation and facilitation of international
  studies
• Limited funding opportunities

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EGPRN what how?

• Participation in WONCA-Europe
• Collaboration with EURACT and EQuiP
• News en Abstracts in EJGP
• Collaboration with other networks and interest
  groups PCD, GRIN
• with other research networks outside Europe
  IFPCRN, NAPCRG

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Conferences

• 2/year, May October, 3 days
• Thursday pre-conference workshops
• Friday Saturday scientific conference
• Plenary parallel-sessions
• Key-note speakers
• Thematic freestanding presentations
• (15 presenting, 15 discussion)
• One slide five minutes-presentations (55)
• Poster sessions
• On request individual feedback by senior
  researchers

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(Parallel) Sessions
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Meetings and core content of PC research (last
ten years)

• Research on clinical issues 11 meetings
• Health services research 7 meetings
• Research on education 2 meetings

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Active members

• Standing committees
• Educational Cee research courses, abstract
  scoring, feed-back, mentoring
• Research Cee research agenda, collaborative
  research, funds
• Communications Cee website, EJGP
• Council of national representatives ( 30)
• Executive Board (8)
• Secretariat

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Research courses

• 15 International research courses 3 more are
  planned
• Mostly basic courses- sometimes specialized f.i.
  for educational researchers

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Research courses objectives

• Formulate ideas than can be tested in a
  scientific manner
• Give basic understanding of epidemiological
  methods and biostatistics
• Develop their critical readings skills
• Provide practical experience in literature
  searching and programmes for statistical analysis
  and presentation
• Provide practice in both written and verbal
  presentation

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Research courses
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Future research courses

• Directed by local experienced organisers
• Link to regional programmes for follow-up
• Handbook for international research courses

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Multinational studies

• Fostering, initiating and co-ordinating
  multinational studies Referral study, home
  visits study, Eurobstacle, Burnout study, .
• Coordinating and improving research capacity
  projects Forum project

25
Present and future actions

• Research strategy committee funding
  opportunities within and outside EGPRN
• Research market
• Networking and mentoring

26
Added value

• Extra opportunities for exchange of knowledge and
  expertise
• Development of academic primary care
• Capacity building in areas of need
• Establish European sustainable networks
• International competitiveness and mobility

27
For discussion your views on

• The pivotal role of primary care research for the
  development of a strong primary care in Europe
• How EGPRN could collaborate with other
  organisations (incl Eur Forum) to built research
  capacity across Europe