Primary care research is carried out by members of the primary care team, in partnership with the patients and communities they serve. It’s grounded in real-world practice and focused on improving health where it matters most: at the front lines of care.

Primary care research explores:

• Turning evidence into everyday care – applying the latest science to improve how medicine is practiced.

• Designing better systems – studying how to organize healthcare in ways that meet the needs of both individuals and communities.

• Testing what works – evaluating new tools, approaches, and innovations to ensure patients receive the highest quality care.

• Partnering for better health – involving patients, practices, and communities in research to drive meaningful, lasting improvements.

Research is essential to the growth and evolution of primary care medicine. While most patients receive care in primary care settings, much of today’s research still takes place in academic medical centers; far from where everyday health decisions are made.

Primary care practices offer the perfect setting to explore the real-life challenges patients face. Yet, most research funding goes toward studying individual diseases, organ systems, or molecular processes, not the broader, integrated care that primary care delivers.

There’s still so much we don’t know about key questions like:

• How should primary care be organized to best serve patients?

• How can we prioritize care in ways that are both efficient and equitable?

• How do we bring medical breakthroughs into everyday practice so they truly work?

• How do people make informed decisions about when and where to seek care?

Primary care research tackles these questions—focusing on whole-person care, real-world impact, and the health of entire communities.

In the course of routine patient care, primary care researchers are constantly evaluating new evidence, selecting the best interventions, and helping patients understand their options. The primary care setting, where real people bring real concerns, is an ideal place to study the challenges and questions that matter most to patients.

Yet, most research funding still goes toward narrowly focused studies on single diseases, organ systems, or cellular processes. That leaves critical gaps in our understanding of how primary care truly works. 

We still have big questions to answer, like:

• What’s the best way to organize primary care to meet diverse needs?

• How can we make sure the right care happens at the right time?

• How do we ensure that new discoveries actually translate to everyday practice?

• And how can patients be empowered to make informed decisions about their care?

Primary care research is uniquely positioned to explore these questions, bringing science into the spaces where people live, work, and heal.

Whether you're gathering data for a large study, leading a nationally funded project, or sharing your lived experience as a patient, there are countless ways to be part of primary care research. Researchers and research partners are needed at every level.

Everyone has a role to play in asking meaningful questions and finding answers that shape the way we care for patients. Whether you're a clinician, a community member, or a patient, your insights and experiences can help drive discoveries that improve health and transform care.

You don’t have to be an expert to get started in research. Begin with a role that fits your current knowledge and aligns with your clinical or personal interests. From there, you can build new skills in research methods, data analysis, writing, and presenting as your involvement grows.

One of the most valuable steps? Find a mentor—someone who can help guide your curiosity, shape your goals, and support your development.

NAPCRG is the world’s leading community dedicated to advancing primary care research, and it’s also a welcoming, supportive space for researchers at every stage of their journey.

Whether you're just getting started or growing your career, NAPCRG offers the guidance, connection, and inspiration you need.

The NAPCRG Annual Meeting is the flagship event to:

• Share your research with an engaged audience

• Learn new skills through hands-on workshops

• Connect with colleagues from around the globe

• Contribute to shaping the future of primary care

At NAPCRG, you're not just attending a conference—you’re joining a movement.

NAPCRG is committed to providing opportunities outside of our Annual Meeting. Through online training, fellowships, and webinars, we're creating flexible, accessible opportunities for growth, connection, and professional development—building on the energy of our Annual Meeting and sustaining it throughout the year.