Primary Care Academy: lessons learned from a large-scale innovative primary care project

Introduction and context: The social and healthcare system faces numerous challenges, with primary care playing a key role in achieving universal and equitable health coverage. However, the primary care field often struggles with limited research capacity, activity, and funding.

The Primary Care Academy: To address these gaps, the Primary Care Academy (PCA) - a large-scale, innovative, interdisciplinary research and networking organization, encompassing then organization in the primary care field, was established and funded in 2019 by the Fund Dr. Daniel De Coninck, a charity foundation, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation, attempted to fil this gap.

Objectives: The aim of this study was identifying lessons learned on the implementation and achievements of a large-scale, innovative research and network organization, specifically the PCA.

Method: This study evaluates the PCA’s development process, focusing on its key achievements and critical elements by using a mixed-method data collection approach. After 5 years of rigorous collaboration, several lessons can be drawn regarding accomplishments and process flow, particularly in terms of a shared and clear vision, governance, leadership, and organizational culture.

Discussion and conclusion: These lessons can inform future adaptations in the continuation of the PCA and serve as a guide for other caritative large-scale innovative initiatives.