The National Research School in General Practice and Primary Care in Sweden

Since 2010, the Swedish National research school, funded by the Swedish Research Council (VR) 2009-20, has achieved much in its mission to establish Sweden as a world leader in primary care research, in terms of both the quantity of trained students and the quality of their work. It has enrolled 120 research students, both doctors (75%) and other primary care professionals (25%).

At present, 62 of those who started in 2010–17 (n=89) have successfully defended their theses and 14 more will do so in 2022-23; in all, a remarkable 85%.

Moreover, 23 students have done a two month “pre-doc” overseas at a centre of excellence, and six more are about to embark.Further funding is now needed to continue the school and take essential steps for future challenges: i.e., expand the curriculum as well as the amount of school time, and the number and duration of the “pre-doc”.

Adding reciprocal arrangements with international institutions should ensure a long-lasting relationship and increase international interactions for all students.

Moreover, the research school will integrate its alumni into the faculty, thereby supporting them in their early academic careers as well as increasing their networking.

The heads of the subject of General Practice are involved in the running of the National research school and are now applying together.

This is very good news for the strengthening of research in primary care in Sweden and shows how involved the universities are in the school activities.