The Centre for Studies in Primary Care (CSPC) research program focuses on advancing primary care research methodology and improving the quality and accessibility of primary care in Canada, while providing ongoing support for the medical education program at Queen's University. In addition, the Centre regularly conducts research for the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

The CSPC has established a growing local network of over 80 family physicians practicing in Kingston and the surrounding area who participate in primary care research being done by the Centre. As well, the CSPC has strong ties with national health care research centres and has led an initiative to form a national network in primary care research. Support for this national practice-based research network was provided by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

In 2007, the CSPC established a community advisory committee with a mandate to seek out user and provider views on primary health care issues affecting Southeastern Ontario. This committee is made up of representatives from patient and caregiver groups, physicians, nurse practitioners, hospital administrators, CSPC research staff, Community Health Centres, the Council of Aging, and Community Care Access Centres (CCAC).

Recent consultation sessions by the CSPC community advisory committee determined the following new research directions:

1. Identifying quality indicators and evaluating performance in family health teams.

The CSPC will bring key members of family health teams together to discuss ways for teams to develop practice audits that will assess performance when providing primary care. The CSPC will then develop quality indicators and analyze data captured in electronic medical records, and finally, will design quality audit processes and guidelines in order to establish provincial standards.

2. The study of health care services to seniors.

The CSPC will develop links with the Council on Aging and Community Care Access Centres to help with the evaluation component of proposals that seek to establish affordable options directed to private retirement residences for low and middle income seniors. The CSPC will examine the role of the family physician, nurse, and other medical and support roles, with the intention of developing guidelines to improve the delivery of care to the senior population. Key indicators of patient satisfaction in the senior population will be identified from data collected by surveys conducted, as well as through systematic reviews.

3. The provision of mental health care in primary care.

Mental health issues and methods of delivering care to this patient population will be examined through research to identify successful collaborative approaches for improving care.