Giulio Rigon is EGPRN’s National Representative for Italy and the local organiser of the upcoming EGPRN meeting in Verona in May 2026. He is Professor in the Primary Care Department at the University of Verona School of Medicine.
He has warmly invited all members to attend the forthcoming Verona meeting and has kindly made time to answer questions about EGPRN and its activities.
What prompted you to join the EGPRN?
My engagement with the European General Practice Research Network spans several years, during which I have actively contributed to various conferences through both oral presentations and poster communications. This sustained involvement naturally evolved into formal membership, driven by a commitment to advancing primary care research at the European level.
How long have you been your country's national representative?
I have held the position of national representative for approximately twelve months.
What do you find most rewarding about representing your country within the EGPRN?
The most significant aspect of this role lies in the opportunity to establish a comprehensive research framework spanning both undergraduate and postgraduate medical education in general practice. This represents a strategic initiative to strengthen the academic foundation of family medicine within our national context.
What are the most interesting or urgent research topics in primary healthcare at the moment?
Current priority areas include the longitudinal management and care coordination of patients with chronic multimorbidity, as well as the organizational optimization of primary care practices to enhance effectiveness and achieve evidence-based quality indicators through systematic approaches.
How has the EGPRN helped you connect with other researchers and professionals across Europe?
The Network's scientific meetings have facilitated meaningful scholarly exchanges and enabled the development of collaborative relationships with European colleagues. These connections are instrumental in advancing efforts to consolidate and institutionalize general practice within Italian academic medicine.
What makes the EGPRN unique compared to other research networks?
The distinctive characteristics of EGPRN include the collective expertise shared among members and the collaborative ethos that permeates the organization, fostering interdisciplinary partnerships and knowledge exchange.
What message would you like to share with new or potential members of the EGPRN?
Engagement with EGPRN research initiatives contributes to the progressive harmonization of European general practice, facilitating the achievement of shared objectives and evidence-based standards across healthcare systems.
What advice would you give to young researchers who are now approaching research in family medicine?
Early-career researchers are encouraged to actively participate in EGPRN scientific meetings and to seek involvement in collaborative research projects, as these experiences provide essential mentorship, methodological training, and professional networking opportunities fundamental to academic development in primary care research.