Maine-Dartmouth supports scholarly activities conducted by our faculty and trainees in recognition of the role primary care research plays in shaping clinical practice and health policy at local, state, and national levels. Family physicians have become a hub for the delivery of quality care to individuals and families today.
Given the numerous challenges our health care system faces, it is increasingly apparent that simply continuing the status quo as family physicians is untenable; the delivery of low cost, high quality health care requires training both residents and experienced clinicians to think critically about the practice of medicine. Moreover, development of a cohort of family physicians to conduct research that addresses issues important to primary care is vital if we are to find new solutions to our persistent health care problems. Cultivating a community of critical thinkers is the first step.