An intercalated research Masters in primary care: a pilot programme.

Academic medicine is said by some to be in decline and primary care in particular struggles to recruit to academic general practice posts at all levels. Intercalated degrees are often described as being a stepping-stone to an academic career, yet a Bachelors programme may not teach in-depth research skills and for many medical students a PhD is not a desirable option. This article reports the processes and outcomes of an intercalated research Masters that provided a senior medical student with a credible research qualification based on primary care research.