TY - JOUR T1 - Developing middle-ground research to support primary care transformation JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 498 LP - 499 DO - 10.3399/bjgp17X693209 VL - 67 IS - 664 AU - Bruce Guthrie AU - John Gillies, OBE AU - Catherine Calderwood AU - Gregor Smith AU - Stewart Mercer Y1 - 2017/11/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/67/664/498.abstract N2 - Healthcare systems across the world are facing common challenges relating to changing demographics, and in particular ageing populations. In the UK multimorbidity is a key common denominator in frailty in older people, and health inequalities in younger age groups.1,2 There is substantial divergence in how the four nations of the UK are responding to this challenge.3 In this editorial we describe the Scottish approach to primary care transformation and how better evidence to support transformation can be generated in countries undergoing healthcare reforms.The Scottish Government has recently embarked on an ambitious journey to transform the health and social care system, with primary care at the heart of this.4,5 Numerous new models of primary care are currently being piloted, and an evaluation is being undertaken by the Scottish School of Primary Care (a consortium of Scottish universities with a strong track record in academic primary care). Following the abolition of the Quality and Outcomes Framework in Scotland in 2016, a new Scottish GP contract will be rolled out in 2018 and will include a fresh approach to quality improvement with a requirement for GP practices to work in Quality Clusters. The clusters are expected to lead both healthcare quality improvement focused on local needs, and the engagement of GPs in the wider integration agenda.6These radical changes in Scotland are underpinned … ER -