Introduction

Four common themes emerge regarding capacity building in primary care research in both resource-rich and resource-poor nations: the development of academic departments and appointment of chairs in family medicine, resources and funding, the importance of collaboration and the diversity of research conducted. The availability of these elements is identified as facilitating the growth of primary care research in a country, whereas the lack of one or more is seen as a barrier. The growth of primary care research has largely been predicated by the development of general practice and primary care as a discipline, with the establishment of academic departments and professorial appointments in universities with a mandate to perform research. Low levels of funding for primary care research is also a limiting factor for many countries. A governmental policy commitment to universal coverage and strong primary healthcare is seen as a precursor to awareness of the importance of primary care research.