ABSTRACT
With primary care research in mind, this chapter focuses on the last two building blocks of financing and leadership/governance. Effective financing mechanisms, leadership and governance are needed to invest in and deliver good-quality primary care research. Healthcare expenditure can also be considered in terms of whether it is paid for through public funds, otherwise referred to as 'general government expenditure', or through private expenditure. One of the biggest challenges primary care has faced and continues to struggle with is defining itself. How different stakeholders, whether providers, the public, policymakers or funders, interpret the term 'primary care' can vary. At country level, how funding flows to the primary care and primary care research will determine what is delivered, by who, where, when and how. Making decisions on funding allocation is complex, involves many stakeholders and will always be political in nature.
