Ecraid

Bridging Research and Primary Care

How do you ensure that national research properly aligns with daily practice in general practitioner (GP) clinics? And how do you make sure research results are useful for primary care?

To answer these questions, the Research Practices Network for General Practice (Onderzoekspraktijken Netwerk Huisartsgeneeskunde) was founded in the Netherlands.

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Research Practices Network for General Practice

The Research Practices Network for General Practice is an initiative by the seven Dutch academic departments of general practice, in collaboration with Ecraid and supported by the UNH Consortium for General Practice Research (UNH-Consortium Onderzoek Huisartsgeneeskunde).


The goal is to create a Dutch network of GP practices ready to participate in relevant, practice-oriented clinical research.

It is not just about participation – but also enabling it:

  • Practices are supported by research nurses as well as staff, so the workload is evenly distributed.
  • Includes appropriate financial compensation for participation.
  • Smart digital tools such as ZorgDomein are used to make participation as simple as possible.
  • The network is aligned with the current needs of general practice.

This creates a solid infrastructure of well-equipped Dutch GP practices, making it possible to conduct relevant research in primary care. A growing number of GPs, health centres, and patients have already signed up.

110 GPs, 136,100 patients potentially available for research

In only two months, 19 health centres with GP practices have already joined, representing 110 general practitioners and more than 136,000 patients. The first contracts have been signed, and from July through September, initial test studies are being conducted to carefully evaluate the processes.

The participating practices are spread throughout the Netherlands.

What’s next?

In the coming months, the network will expand further toward the goal of 35 practices. In the meantime, the first pilot studies will soon begin:

  • A diagnostic study on urinary tract infections (UMC Groningen)
  • A lifestyle trial for depression (Radboudumc)
  • An observational study on respiratory infections (UMCU/Ecraid)

To join as a Dutch general practice you can access the UNH website here.

As a participating practice, you’ll receive appropriate compensation, guidance from a coordinator, and access to relevant studies that provide value for your practice.