SAPC hot topic - capacity for blue sky research in academic primary care

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'Is there a category of basic research in primary care?'

This opening question in Professor Graham Watt's (2011) report on blue sky research in primary care sends out both an invitation and a challenge to all working in academic primary care (APC). His report is a response to persisting concerns about a gap in the recognition of, and support for, this key aspect of research and development in primary care. Drawing on an extensive stakeholder consultation, Watt considers fundamental issues related to funding streams, professional identity, career planning and progression within our discipline. You can read the full report on the Society for Academic Primary Care website (http://www.sapc.ac.uk/images/documents/blue.pdf).

The specific remit for his report was to consider issues related to generalist clinical practice. But Watt's broader aim was to stimulate debate and discussion across the primary care research community. APC is underpinned by a multidisciplinary approach, necessary to promote excellence in the complexity and diversity of primary care policy and practice (Reeve et al., 2011). His report raises important questions for all working in, or connected to, our discipline. In this Hot Topic report, we focus on one aspect, namely, the capacity for blue sky research in our discipline.

So what is blue sky research?

Blue sky research refers to 'research without a clear goal' (Bell, 2005). Linden (2008) describes it as 'flexible, curiosity-driven research' underpinned by creative thinking that 'leads to outcomes not envisaged at the outset'. Blue sky research is characterised by development and proof of concept - concepts that can then be applied and evaluated for proof of worth and utility. It has been suggested that the inherently uncertain nature of blue sky research has made it 'politically and commercially unpopular' (Bell, 2005), although the value of this area of development is well recognised and established within many areas of medical research (Watt, 2011).

Blue sky research in primary care

Watt (2011) defines blue sky research in primary care as 'research which increases conceptual understanding of the content, processes, organisation and outcomes of primary care'. He acknowledges existing contributions, citing examples of completed work, but describes a need for further conceptual understanding of the behaviours, consultations and systems underpinning primary care in order to...