With a new grant from the Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw), the ‘Dutch General Practice Research Network’ is taking the next step in its development. The goal is to facilitate the conduct of clinically relevant, prospective studies in general practice and to establish a warm-base research infrastructure that can be rapidly deployed should future outbreaks of infectious diseases occur.
Supported by a grant of approximately € 650.000, researchers will – over the next three years – continue to build a nationwide network of general practices that are adequately equipped and resourced to participate in scientific research. The project builds on the recently completed ZonMw GRIP3 project, rewarded with a ZonMw Pearl. Currently, more than 40 general practices are affiliated to the network, GCP-trained, standard collaboration agreements have been developed, and the first pilot studies were launched. The new grant allows to further operationalize, professionalize, expand, and sustainably embed the network.
The strength of the Dutch General Practice Research Network lies in an approach that makes research participation feasible for general practices. Practices are resourced, equipped, and supported step-by-step. Individual general practices will generally include a limited number of study participants, while the network as a whole ensures sufficient research volume. This keeps research participation manageable and feasible, without placing an excessive burden on individual practices.
The approved grant application falls under the ZonMw Knowledge Program on Pandemic Preparedness, in the Research Readiness for Pandemic Preparedness round (file number 10710072510005). The goal is twofold: (1) to facilitate the conduct of clinically relevant, prospective research in general practice and (2) to establish a warm-base research infrastructure that can be rapidly deployed should future outbreaks of infectious diseases occur. In doing so, the network contributes to the improvement of everyday patient care in general practice and to preparedness for new public health crises.
Roderick Venekamp MD PhD
In the coming period, efforts will focus on further expanding the network, providing training and support to affiliated general practices, strengthening the research infrastructure, and conducting new studies. Efforts will also focus on strengthening the collaboration between the seven Dutch academic departments of general practice, Ecraid, other involved partners such as the Dutch College of General Practitioners (NHG) and Zorgbelang Inclusief, and relevant stakeholders, as well as the network’s positioning within European initiatives.
“This grant is a true recognition of what has been built and achieved by joint efforts over the recent years. We have demonstrated that a national network of research practices in general practice is feasible. In the coming years, we want to further strengthen and expand that foundation so that scientific research can be successfully conducted across all relevant domains in general practice and so that we are better prepared, both nationally and internationally, for future infectious disease outbreaks,” says Roderick Venekamp MD PhD, general practitioner and associate professor at UMC Utrecht and project leader of the ‘Dutch General Practice Research Practices Network – Ready and Prepared.’
More information will follow in the coming period regarding the further development of the network, the affiliated practices, and the studies to be conducted during this new phase. General practices that are interested in joining the network can find more information on the website of the General Practice Research Network.
