Primary Care Research Connect: Reflecting on the first 5 years and looking to the future

In order to establish primary care as a specialty in Japan and to improve its quality, it is essential to promote research activities in addition to clinical and educational activities. This is because generalist disciplines including primary care have their own body of knowledge and research areas.¹ In North America, for example, the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG), which specializes in research activities, holds annual meetings, presents high-quality interdisciplinary research, provides research education for primary care providers, and offers various forms of support.² Conversely, in Japan, although the strengthening of primary care has been attracting attention as an important issue in the health care system debate, there has been a paucity of research in this field from an international perspective.³ This is due to a lack of research infrastructure, training of researchers, and networks for research collaboration.

Recognizing the need to strengthen research activities in this area in Japan, Primary Care Research (PCR) Connect was established in 2019, with reference to the work of the NAPCRG. It is a collaboration between the Japan Primary Care Association, the American College of Physicians Japan Chapter, and the Society for Clinical Epidemiology. The three societies are drawing on their respective strengths, including clinical expertise and research methodology, to raise the level of research in primary care (general practice, family medicine and general internal medicine) in Japan to international levels. The term “Connect” in PCR Connect is derived from the concept of “connecting” the three societies involved in primary care research and “connecting” researchers in this field.

The annual meeting, which is at the heart of PCR Connect's activities, aims to increase the quality and quantity of research in the field and to promote networking between primary care providers and researchers. This is achieved by providing a place for friendly competition and growth among primary care researchers. A total of five PCR Connect annual meetings have been held to date. The second and subsequent annual meetings are held online and can be attended from anywhere in the country. The annual meeting includes invited lectures by overseas researchers, a variety of research seminars including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research, symposia providing the latest national and international findings on important research topics in primary care, “Research Protocol Evolution” where the research leadership provides feedback on young researchers' protocol. Table 1 shows the representative programs of the PCR Connect annual meeting.

The first annual meeting had 90 participants, but the number has grown over the years to more than 200, with a notable increase in the number of young people, including residents and students. PCR Connect, an academic collaboration initiative that began as a small experiment, continues to grow with the next generation of researchers. The future of Japanese health care depends on strengthening primary care. PCR Connect will support the advancement of primary care research in Japan through the development of research infrastructure and networks, training and mentoring of young researchers, collaboration with other disciplines, and patient and public involvement.

The authors have stated explicitly that there are no conflicts of interest in connection with this article.