Most primary care physicians are well aware of the countless research studies across disciplines that show the strength of a country’s primary care system is directly linked to its population’s health status. When people have access to primary care, treatment occurs before more severe problems can develop. People who receive primary care also have fewer preventable emergency department visits and hospital admissions than those who don’t.1 It also is linked to improved work-force productivity and lower overall health care costs. Yet, historically, research funding dollars have gone towards research of a specific disease, organ system, cellular or chemical process, not for primary care.
While this research is of importance, it does not help the greatest number of patients at the point where they receive the majority of their health care. In 2008, primary care physicians had more patient visits compared with other medical specialist groups or care settings; for every 100 people, there were more than 193 primary care office visits.2
It seems obvious that adequate funding for research in primary care is essential to inform practice that will in turn create better outcomes for patients—especially given the number of patients treated in a primary care setting.
On the contrary, recent studies by the Robert Graham Center found that of the $95.3 billion that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded in research grants from 2002 to 2006 (including the 3 years after the NIH budget doubled), family medicine researchers received just over $186 million—only about 2 pennies for every $10 spent. Furthermore, nearly 75% of all grants to family medicine came from only 6 of the NIH’s 24 funding institutes and centers, and one-third of the institutes and centers did not award any grants to family medicine.3
These numbers just don’t add up to better health outcomes for patients. Despite having the most costly health system in the world, the United States consistently underperforms relative to other countries on most dimensions of performance. Very little is known about important topics such as how primary care services are best organized, how to maximize and prioritize care, how to introduce and disseminate new discoveries so they work in real life, and how patients can best decide how and when to seek care.
At the NAPCRG Annual Meeting in November 2010, NAPCRG leadership put funding for primary care research at the top of its priority list. The NAPCRG Advocacy Committee meets regularly to determine and execute tactics to further this cause. NAPCRG leadership is working diligently to increase awareness with key decision-makers and is calling upon government funding centers to bring the research funding model in balance with the increased reliance on primary care. They developed a set of key messages to be used when meeting with lawmakers and funding sources.
NAPCRG encourages primary care physicians and researchers to join this effort and utilize the messages below in advocacy activities.
The Importance of Primary Care and Primary Care Research
The overall health of a population is directly linked to the strength of its primary health care system. A strong primary care system delivers higher quality of care and better health for less cost.
Primary care provides a “medical home” and considers the whole person, as they exist in family, community, and population, including multiple illnesses, preventive care, health promotion, and the integration of mind and body.
Primary Care Is
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complex and comprehensive
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where most people first bring their symptoms and health concerns and have their first touch with the health care system
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where people develop healing, trusting relationships with their physician and other primary care providers
Primary Care Research Includes
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translating science into the practice of medicine and caring for patients
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understanding how to better organize health care to meet patient and population needs
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evaluating innovations to provide the best health care to patients
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engaging patients, communities, and practices to improve health
The majority of health care takes place in primary care practices, and yet, the majority of research funding supports research of one specific disease, organ system, cellular or chemical process—not for primary care.
Very little is known about important topics such as how primary care services are best organized, how to maximize and prioritize care, how to introduce and disseminate new discoveries so they work in real life, and how patients can best decide how and when to seek care
We call for additional funds to be allocated to primary care research
- © Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
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