ABSTRACT
The International Federation of Primary Care Research Networks (IFPCRN) was formed under the World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) Task Force on Research at the May 2001 meeting in Durban, South Africa. Nineteen individuals from seven countries participated. Regional representatives are involved from various countries in Africa, the Asia Pacific region, Europe, South Asia and North America. In addition, there are numerous research networks participating globally, from countries such as Brazil, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh and Belgium. The mission of the IFPCRN is to support research for primary healthcare for the benefit of patients by: the mutual support of research networks, capacity building, policy and advocacy initiatives, and doing collaborative research. At the WONCA Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Cebu, Philippines, in February 2011, the role of the federation in designing and implementing a regional study was discussed, and a five-step approach approved.
