Getting Involved in Research as a GP

Research has always been at the heart of medicine, but it isn’t confined to academic centres or hospitals. General practice provides a unique environment for research—one that reflects the diversity and complexity of real-world healthcare. Yet many GPs are unsure how to get involved or assume that research is “for others.” In reality, there are many practical—and profitable—ways to bring research into your practice. 

Why Research in General Practice Matters

• Relevance – Most healthcare happens in the community. Evidence generated in GP settings is directly applicable to the patients we see every day.

• Equity – By involving primary care, we ensure research reflects the wider population, not just those who attend hospitals.

• Professional Development – Taking part in research can be intellectually rewarding, enhance your CV, and support appraisal and revalidation.

• Practice Benefits – Research-active practices often report improved staff morale, patient engagement, and access to new resources.

• Income Generation – Many studies provide direct funding to practices for each patient recruited, time spent on data collection, or for acting as a Principal Investigator.

How Research Can Be Financially Sustainable

1. NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Funding

   • Practices receive payments to cover the additional time and resources needed for delivering studies.

   • The CRN can fund locum sessions or staff backfill, meaning research doesn’t need to eat into core clinical work.

2. Per-Patient Payments

   • Many trials pay practices for each patient recruited or followed up. Depending on the study, this can be a useful revenue stream, especially when multiple projects are running.

3. Practice Investment

   • Funding can be used to support dedicated research nurses or administrators, creating capacity and reducing workload pressures on GPs.

4. Long-Term Gains

   • Research involvement can strengthen business cases for additional roles, improve QOF performance indirectly (through better patient engagement and evidence-based care), and raise the profile of the practice within the local health system.

Routes Into Research

Getting started doesn’t mean you need to design your own study. Many pathways exist:

• Join the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) – They provide training, funding, and support.

• Adopt Portfolio Studies – Tried-and-tested projects that require minimal setup.

• Nominate a Research Lead – A GP or nurse can coordinate opportunities.

• Collaborate with Universities – Build relationships that bring in projects and resources.

• Embed Research Into Routine Practice – From questionnaires to registries, even small contributions attract support and funding.

Takeaway

Research in general practice isn’t just about academic curiosity—it can be a meaningful way to improve patient care, boost staff morale, and create an additional income stream. By engaging with research, we not only shape the future of medicine but also make our practices more sustainable.

If your practice isn’t yet research-active, reaching out to your local NIHR Clinical Research Network is a great first step.