[The complexity of research in primary care: notes of method].

. The complexity of the nursing research in the primary health care: methodological challenges and suggestions.

Introduction: Research in primary care nursing has grown in the last decades addressing the national and international call aimed at increasing the primary health care services.

Method: A of the main possible challenges that researchers might encounter in primary care research is proposed, as well as suggestions aimed at implementing strong research methodologies.

Results: The study designs feasible in this setting such as that observational, randomized cluster and/or pragmatic trials, stepped wedge designs, and mixed-method studies are discussed; as well as strategies to involve the population, e.g., with participatory research; how to describe the interventions and the possible outcomes sensitive to the family/community nurses care to consider.

Conclusions: National and international guidelines promote the implementation of the family/community nurses. Many Italian regions are implementing the model tailored to the context: these initiatives should be accompanied studies capable to document their outcomes.