ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the opportunities that exist for those who wish to move towards becoming a research practice and to look at the practical issues involved. Research practices are a logical component of a primary care-led NHS which is intended to lead to a move of care, education and resources into the community. The first research practices were appointed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in October 1994. Many practices with a research capacity have bid for funding under the NHS levy for research and development arrangements. Research practices should be active general practices with a corporate commitment to research. Research is no longer a solitary occupation. Primary healthcare research has developed into a discipline with its own body of literature and methods. It has encouraged examination of problems from multiprofessional perspectives, including nursing, and adopted research methods from other disciplines. Each regional NHS Executive Research and Development Division has a budget for researchers.
