General practice research is the subsection of primary care research that addresses gaps in evidence about care delivered in general practice. It encompasses all health professionals working within this setting and influences the care of the 85% of the Australian population who attend a general practice. Currently the majority of health care research funded is conducted in hospitals rather than primary care settings. This means that some research findings may not be applicable to a general practice setting.
(Source: Heal C, Roberts G. General practice research priority setting in Australia. Australian Journal of General Practice 2019(48)11:789-95)

GP research focuses on the prevention and early detection of disease, undifferentiated clinical presentations, chronic conditions, and multi-system co-morbidities which are less frequently encountered and managed in acute healthcare settings. It also looks at the way services are organised and delivered to ensure they are both clinically sound and cost-effective.

GP research contributes to the profession by improving patient care and health outcomes, identifying and addressing health disparities, informing healthcare policy, assisting in the development and monitoring of new treatments, and advancing the field of general practice.

The RACGP provides a number of services to members undertaking general practice research, to support clinical practice and any level of research GPs may wish to engage in. These include the many  John Murtagh Library services (free to members) and the National Research and Evaluation Ethics Committee (NREEC) that supports and offers guidance to general practice researchers and related others.

The RACGP Foundation provides financial support for general practice research projects through a range of grants and awards.