ABSTRACT
Research opportunities for primary care workers have increased dramatically over recent years, paralleled by expansion in research capacity through university departments of primary care, the development of research networks, and funding for research training and infrastructure. This chapter describes the options available to primary care workers and offers a framework from the authors' own experience to consider the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking a higher degree. There are a number of reasons for undertaking a higher degree. Several surveys have been performed on general practitioners with higher degrees. These surveys showed that the number of higher degrees averaged just three per year between 1973 and 1988 compared with five per year in the previous 15 years. The regulations for higher research degrees vary from one university to another and you are strongly advised to check both written requirements and experience of colleagues at an early stage.
