B1: Define and promote the value of family medicine research broadly
Responsible Committee: NAPCRG Executive Committee
Current Activities:
The JABFM special issue is a collection of 26 articles highlighting strategic planning, workforce development, infrastructure building, mentorship, diversity, and innovative approaches to strengthen family medicine research and its translation into practice. The issue reflects the field’s journey, insights, and future directions for primary care research and represents a key milestone in the ABFM-funded initiative launched at the National Research Summit. Complementing the issue, the “A Closer Look” webpage highlights key findings and insights from the special issue, summarizing current gaps and outlining next steps to further strengthen family medicine research capacity.
Additionally, the NFMSPR Committee, comprised of representatives from NAPCRG, STFM, ADFM, AAFP, ACOFP, AFMRD, and other key stakeholders, meets twice annually to foster alignment across organizations and advance future initiatives. Even at this early stage, the committee has already identified promising opportunities for collaboration.
B2: Align advocacy efforts with the 2021 NASEM report and forthcoming action plan to build momentum and increase support for family medicine research, including the creation of an Office of Primary Care Research
Responsible Committee: American Board of Family Medicine
Action Steps:
- Create a data-driven story through a convening of primary care researchers and NIH insiders to support creation of a funded office that supports research able to promote the health of people.
- Advocate for the NASEM standing committee on primary care to work with the NIH to advise Congress on a plan to develop a plan for primary care research at the NIH, incl NIH funding for NASEM standing committee task report on primary care research
Current Activities:
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced the launch of the CARE for Health™ initiative, a pilot to test the feasibility of a network of networks to embed clinical research in primary care settings. Ongoing meetings with NIH indicate that despite adjustments to the original timeline, NIH has affirmed its commitment to moving this inititiave forward.
Currently, six prominent research hubs anchor this initiative:
- Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU): PRaCTICE Network, connecting rural practices across the Northwest.
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW): Wisconsin Research and Education Network (WREN).
- West Virginia University (WVU): West Virginia Rural Roots to Research (WVR3) Network.
- University of Alabama – Birmingham (UAB): Primary Care HEART-NET, collaborating with the Universities of Arkansas and Mississippi.
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC): PRIME-OK.
- University of New Mexico (UNM): PC-BRIDGE.
Research studies conducted by these hubs include:
- iREACH: Enhancing online weight-loss strategies for rural adults.
- Hearing Healthcare: Expanding rural access via tele-audiology.
- GEMS: Integrating geriatric care into cancer survivorship.
- SUPERA: Combining digital CBT with peer support for Spanish-speaking patients.
- TAICHIKNEE: Evaluating web-based tai chi for knee osteoarthritis.
- BeatPain: Reducing opioid use through tele-coaching.
- Co-Care: Implementing collaborative substance use treatments in community clinics.
- TRUST: Optimizing gout management strategies.
Additionally, The Milbank Primary Care Scorecard, which includes the Health of US Primary Care Scorecard and an interactive data dashboard, provides national and state-level metrics on key primary care indicators and tracks progress on objectives outlined in the 2021 NASEM report, Implementing High-Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care. This report emphasizes making high-quality primary care accessible to all Americans, highlighting the need for accountability, aligned measures, dedicated research funding, and federal leadership to ensure effective implementation and evaluation of primary care quality. (Policy Brief)
B3: Continue advocacy to increase funding for AHRQ National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research and support efforts to direct other sources of funding to primary care research (e.g. foundations, payers, venture capital and other federal agencies such as: PCORI, CDC, and HRSA)
Responsible Committee: Council of Academic Family Medicine (CAFM)
Action Steps:
- Advocate for AHRQ to allocate half of the PCOR trust fund funding to primary care projects, and as one tactic to accomplish this goal, FMLC member orgs should nominate more FM reps to AHRQ National Advisory Council, including nominating NAPCRG PaCE members for public/patient NAC positions.
- Facilitate formation of a consortium of foundation funders to establish a funding initiative in Primary care research
Current Activities:
Nina DeJonghe and STFM continue to lead CAFM-wide advocacy efforts through coordinated initiatives that elevate academic family medicine. These efforts include active participation in national coalitions addressing a broad range of policy issues. Members receive timely legislative and regulatory updates via Connect posts, social media, and targeted action alerts. CAFM engages regularly with key external stakeholders and works to align advocacy messaging across organizations to amplify impact around core priorities such as workforce development, primary care research, and initiatives that advance academic family medicine and strengthen the discipline overall. In addition to CAFM’s Advocacy Action Center, which connects members to policy and legislative efforts supporting family medicine research, individuals can also access broader Advocacy Resources that provide tools, guidance, and information to support primary care research.
B4: Advocate for increased funding for Departments of Family Medicine from institutional leadership
Responsible Committee: ADFM Research Development Committee
Action Steps:
- Build collaborations with other primary care domains to collectively advocate to the Dean - build on strengths as collaborators
Current Activities:
Despite the uncertainty of the U.S. political climate, departments can advocate for increased funding from institutional leadership using resources such as AHRQ’s Tips for Obtaining Primary Care Research Funding, which offers practical guidance on identifying opportunities, writing competitive proposals, and engaging stakeholders.
B5: Identify and promote promising practices for chairs to support and fund research participation within their departments and institutions
Responsible Committee: ADFM Research Development Committee
Action Steps:
- Create the content of a curriculum for chairs on how a chair can best support research in their environment
Current Activities:
ADFM, in collaboration with its Research Development Committee and the Research Directors and Chairs Group, has launched the Curriculum for Future Department Chairs: What to Know in the Research Realm, a key initiative to strengthen research capacity in family medicine. The four-part Chairs’ Learning Series, moderated by Peter Seidenberg, MD, MSOL, features panels of chairs from institutions at various stages of research development, providing practical strategies for building sustainable infrastructure, navigating regulatory oversight, securing long-term funding, and integrating departments into broader research ecosystems. Available as webinars, audio, slides, and documents, the series offers flexible guidance to help chairs lead research growth, enhance mentorship, and expand family medicine’s national scholarly impact.