ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests the challenges facing the primary care investigator in the current medical climate. To medical deans, primary care department or division chairs, or directors of research, the chapter also suggests the difficulty that lies ahead. A "profession" is distinguished from a "trade" by its effort to seek new knowledge to better serve mankind and contribute to the body of general knowledge. In addition, Danish family physicians accept the need for involvement in research and 62% of English family practices are actually involved in research. In fact, a recent survey of department chairs and research administrators suggests that they are less optimistic about the future of clinical research at academic health centers. In either case, the perception that research is of less importance than patient care or teaching, for example, will probably translate into a less supportive departmental environment for research. Hence, primary care research represents the ultimate in the synthesis-application process of clinical research.
