Academic workplace in primary care: exploring the potential and realising the concept

How can we build a stronger primary care system together? This research explores whether an academic workplace can meet today’s complex healthcare needs.

In short
This project explores how Flemish primary care can respond to increasingly complex care needs. Researchers and field partners assess whether an academic workplace model can foster lasting collaboration between practice, research and education.

Need and relevance
Primary care is under pressure due to growing care needs from multimorbidity, cognitive and mental health issues and social vulnerability. Flanders is shifting from specialised institutional care to accessible, integrated care close to home. The earlier '360° scan' revealed the need for new forms of learning and cooperation to bridge the gap between practice and knowledge development.

From approach to impact
Through participatory action research, we identify the conditions needed to make academic workplaces effective. Using interviews, focus groups and co-creation, we work across micro, meso and macro levels. The project develops collaboration models that strengthen structural ties between research, education and care practice. This contributes to a resilient and future-proof primary care system in Flanders.