ABSTRACT
Many people who work in the primary health care field do not want to undertake research on their own, because they spend enough time working alone in their surgery or clinic. Fortunately, in research there is a tremendous opportunity to work with others. There are also a large number of resources to make the task easier. Often the best starting point for help or advice is to approach a friend or colleague who has done some previous research and to speak to him on an informal basis. It is often a good idea to approach a department of general/family medicine. These departments are usually based in hospitals or universities and employ people with special expertise and training in research. A literature review is often the first technical step with which researchers require assistance. Access to computers and staff who are experienced in handling data can be a great asset to a busy researcher.
