La complessità della ricerca infermieristica nelle cure primarie: appunti di metodo. [The complexity of research in primary care: notes of method]

Introduction. Research in primary care nursing has grown in the last decades addressing the national and international call aimed at increasing the primary health care services. Method. A summary of the main possible challenges that researchers might encounter in primary care research is proposed, as well as suggestions aimed at implementing strong research methodologies. Results. The study designs feasible in this setting such as that observational, randomized cluster and/or pragmatic trials, stepped wedge designs, and mixed-method studies are discussed; as well as strategies to involve the population, e.g., with participatory research; how to describe the interventions and the possible outcomes sensitive to the family/community nurses care to consider. Conclusions. National and international guidelines promote the implementation of the family/community nurses. Many Italian regions are implementing the model tailored to the context: these initiatives should be accompanied studies capable to document their outcomes.