PCA - Primary Care Academy

Over the past four years, we have actively contributed to the Primary Care Academy. We are thrilled to announce since April 2024, we’ve been granted an additional five years to continue this vital work! We thank the Dr. Daniël De Coninck Fund, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation (KBS), for their continued support. Prof Dr Patricia De Vriendt at the Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy at Vrije Universiteit Brussel will be chairing this cycle.

4 Overarching research themes

The Primary Care Academy will focus on the following 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬:

• I-SITE: Innovation implementation: Building on the successes of the first term, we will study how to best implement innovative solutions within primary care.
• PROMENT: Enabling Mental Health and Wellbeing: We will explore prevention strategies for mental health issues among youth, and how primary care can best support these efforts.
• ACCESS-UP: Access to Care: Our research will focus on the experiences of those currently underserved, examining how formal and informal practices can work together to improve access to primary care.
• PRIMID: Core Competencies of primary care professionals: We will further work on educating and supporting future cohorts of primary care professionals.

Research approach

KdG will primarily be active within the PROMENT research line (Enabling Mental Health and Wellbeing). PROMENT focuses on improving the mental well-being of youth, particularly in underserved neighborhoods in Brussels and Antwerp. Through participatory research methods involving the intended end-users themselves, along with key professional and non-professional figures, we aim to first identify the needs of these young people and study associated micro, meso, and macro factors. Based on these insights, we will work towards co-creating sustainable solutions within a safe and supportive environment (cfr. Learning Labs).

Other academic partners include Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Ghent University, University of Antwerp, KU Leuven, Artevelde University of Applied Sciences, University College Ghent, UCLL University of Applied Sciences, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, and VIVES University of Applied Sciences.

For more information, visit the Primary Care Academy’s website or sign up for the Dutch newsletter.