Strengthening learning and research in health equity – opportunities for university departments of primary health care and general practice

Abstract

This paper explores the roles of university departments of primary health care (PHC) and general practice in promoting health equity. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exposed long-standing health and workforce inequities in Australia, as elsewhere. Addressing these inequities will require wide-ranging responses particularly focussed on PHC and the PHC workforce. Well-resourced university departments of PHC and general practice have potential to lead research informing PHC transformation and strategies to reduce health inequity, as well as to train and inspire a future PHC workforce. Examples from such academic departments in Australia and internationally are briefly described, and the experience of a recently established department of general practice is considered, in order to recommend enablers including institutional support, curriculum design, and partnerships with communities and between institutions. Support for community-based clinical schools, practice-based research networks and strengthening PHC research capacity will enable the PHC and general practice academy to engage more effectively in addressing health inequity.