The Primary Care Unit aims to reduce the burden of ill health by identifying and targeting behaviours that lead to chronic conditions, improving early detection of disease, and enhancing the quality and delivery of healthcare.
Our Research
Our multidisciplinary research seeks to improve population health through work at three levels: clinical care in general practice, the organisation and delivery of healthcare services, and changes to the wider environment that affect health. Key strengths of the Unit include:
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Expertise in behavioural techniques and understanding determinants of patient and practitioner behaviour
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A holistic approach that considers both physical and psychosocial aspects of health
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Access to well-characterised patient cohorts
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Evaluation of interventions using both objective measures and insights from people’s lived experiences
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Capacity to run randomised trials and conduct long-term follow-up to assess clinical outcomes
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A focus on quality improvement and addressing the real-world concerns of patients and healthcare staff
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Use of innovative approaches to strengthen the evidence base for better healthcare
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A commitment to identifying what doesn’t work as well as what does.
Delivering Impact
We deliver significant impact on clinical practice and health policy through both our research and our teaching. We recognise that a broad range of stakeholders influence how research translates into benefits for patients. To that end, we have developed strong collaborative relationships with decision-makers, research practices, and research units locally, nationally and internationally.
Our Research Groups
The work of the Unit is carried out by a number of specialist research groups. Learn more about each group by visiting their pages:
Collaborative Research Initiatives
Our research collaborations that address key issues in primary care, often working across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.