Ireland East / UCD GP Research Network

Strength and Impact through Collaboration

About Us

UCD School of Medicine, in partnership with the Ireland East Hospital Group and in collaboration with a multidisciplinary steering group, is carrying out a programme of research to inform healthcare policy nationally on the question of how to best promote access to and integration of primary and secondary care. 

Our research is being conducted across several general practices recruited from the Ireland East / UCD General Practice Research Network, a network of research-active practices in the Ireland East region who have agreed to participate in research with an integrated care focus. 

GPs and other healthcare providers at member practices are supported to:

Be involved in formulating and designing research projects that they feel are a priority, 

Take part in studies as participants, 

Assist UCD researchers in recruiting patients who attend their practices for participation in studies examining patient perspectives and health, 

Conduct data collection and analysis,

Partake in research dissemination activities.

Our Research

Our research comprises several work packages which collectively:

  • Review the evidence for integrated initiatives,
  • Examine research priorities where access to and integration of primary and secondary care are concerned,
  • Involve member practices in the development, conduct, and dissemination of cutting edge, ethically conscious, and GDPR compliant research,  
  • Evaluate the feasibility of interventions to enhance access to and integration of care,
  • Conduct definitive clinical trials,
  • Enhance sustainability, whereby the future development of the network and collaboration are supported through funding applications and engagement with funding partners,

Our programme of work is overseen by a project steering group which includes members of the UCD / Ireland East Hospital Group Academic Health Sciences Steering Committee and other relevant stakeholder agencies and is conducted within a robust clinical and scientific framework.

Student Research

The UCD Ireland East UCD Integrated Care / GP Research Network supports the School of Medicine’s Student Summer Research Awards (SSRA) initiative which is designed to engage students in research practice early during their undergraduate studies. 

How to get involved

To apply to join our GP Research Network, please submit application / expression of interest by clicking this link.

If you would like to discuss this initiative in advance of your application, please get in touch with Prof Walter Cullen (walter.cullen@ucd.ie) or Dr Geoff McCombe (geoff.mccombe@ucd.ie).

We look forward to working with you in helping us shape the future direction of research & innovation at UCD School of Medicine in conjunction with the Ireland East Hospital Group.