There has been a nearly fivefold increase in the amount of Australian gener
al practice research published in 1990-1999 compared with the previous deca
de.
The university departments of general practice and other university departm
ents have. been responsible for most of the research.
GPs were involved in at least 60% of all of the research reviewed. Half of
the research was found to be clinically pertinent to the front-line GP.
The National Health Priority areas, introduced in 1994, were poorly represe
nted, but it is probably too soon for this research to be published. There
has also been little research on rural general practice.
This review provides a starting point for classifying general practice and
primary healthcare research in the future.