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Extraordinary potential of primary care research |
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| Innovative and pragmatic study designs and topics |
Examples |
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| Ground breaking observational research |
Discovering the infective nature incubation period of Hepatitis A [31] |
| "Stable" prospective cohort studies |
Screening for Hypertension [32] |
| "Stable" retrospective cohort studies |
Natural history of Hypertension[33] |
| Large cross-sectional databases |
Developing a cardiovascular risk assessment tool that is more relevant for the UK population [34] |
| "Pragmatic" Cluster randomised controlled trials |
Secondary prevention of CHD [35] |
| "Pragmatic" systematic reviews |
Effect of guidelines on clinical practice [36] ; Usage of computers in consultations [37]; Role of antibiotics in sore throat [38] |
| "Pragmatic" factorial design |
Laboratory test reminders [39] |
| Primary qualitative research |
Chronic care models in primary care [40]; Experience of acute illness [41] |
| Secondary qualitative research: meta-synthesis |
Perception of family history in chronic disease [42]; diabetes and diabetes care [43] |
| Robust economic evaluation alongside trials |
Hospital at home [44]; Endoscopy for dyspepsia [45] |
| Process evaluation of randomised trials and complex interventions |
Self management of inflammatory bowel disease [46]; Integrated heart care [47] |
| Complexity theory in understanding chronic illness |
Lived experience of diabetes in the community [48] |
| Guideline evaluation & implementation; translational research |
Trial of asthma guidelines [49]; Critical features of the implementation of clinical guidelines [50] |
| Tackling inequalities |
Tuberculosis screening [51] |
| Evaluating primary prevention |
Exercise program in primary care [52] |
| Early intervention in the natural history of medical conditions |
Bell's palsy [53]; Conjunctivitis [54] |
Furler et al. BMC Family Practice 2008 9:52 doi:10.1186/1471-2296-9-52 |
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