ABSTRACT
Not only is more primary care-based research needed to strengthen the scientific foundations underpinning our work, but also the proportion of the undergraduate medical curriculum taught in primary care is increasing, probably up to 20% of clinical teaching within the next few years. Much of this research and teaching will be carried out by service general practitioners. These skills need developing during and after vocational training, both for those who will make this an important part of their future practice work and those who intend to pursue a full-time academic career. Compared to other medical specialities the number of academic GPs is small and their career structure is poorly developed. About 30% of the NHS’s medical workforce are GPs, however, only 5-6% of academic posts are filled by GPs. 1
