Discovering Inspiration and Collaboration at the 2024 NAPCRG Annual Meeting in Quebec City, Canada

The 2024 Annual Meeting of the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) was a remarkable gathering of over 1,200 professionals dedicated to advancing primary care research. Hosted in the picturesque and historic city of Quebec City, Canada, the event highlighted the global importance of primary care while offering attendees a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and share groundbreaking research.

Quebec City: A Hub for Global Primary Care Insights

Nestled along the banks of the St. Lawrence River, Quebec City’s old-world charm provided an inspiring backdrop for the event. Attendees from around the world gathered to share knowledge and advance primary care research. This vibrant cultural setting fostered not only academic exchange but also deeper cross-cultural connections. With its cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and warm hospitality, Quebec City underscored the importance of setting as a catalyst for inspiration and meaningful engagement.

University of Minnesota’s Contributions

The University of Minnesota made an impressive impact at the conference, with 12 faculty and staff presenting and facilitating 14 diverse and impactful sessions. Their participation showcased the university’s commitment to advancing health equity and fostering innovation in primary care.

Assistant Professor Dr. Ebiere Okah shared her enthusiasm for the event: “I thoroughly enjoyed attending the meeting. It offered valuable opportunities to network with fellow health equity researchers, explore potential collaborations, present my research findings, attend workshops that enhanced my qualitative skills, and reconnect with former colleagues from my previous institution. I highly recommend this conference to residents, as well as faculty and staff, who are looking for a supportive environment to grow and develop as researchers.”
 

Bread and Roses: A Vision for Joy in Healthcare

A standout moment of the meeting was a plenary session led by English physician and writer Dr. Iona Heath. Heath drew on the century-old suffrage and workers’ rights slogan, “bread and roses”, which symbolized both basic needs and the enrichment of life.  "Bread feeds the body, but roses nourish the heart, imagination, psych and identity," she explained. Similarly, Heath believes that both “bread and roses” are essential in modern healthcare, offering what both patients and clinicians seek: bread for sustenance - safe, effective and efficient care - and roses for the emotional aspects - hope, courage, curiosity, and joy.  

In primary care, the bread represents the clinical processes that provide accurate diagnoses and treatment, and the roses of unhurried conversations and continuity of care that foster trust, reduce errors, and ensure early detection of potential harms. When these elements work together, as Heath outlined, they can deliver both the technical excellence and the human connection we all desire in healthcare.
 

Sharing Knowledge Beyond the Conference

One of the most critical aspects of attending a conference like NAPCRG’s Annual Meeting is disseminating the knowledge gained to colleagues and peers. Whether through formal presentations, collaborative projects, or informal discussions, the ideas exchanged at NAPCRG can create ripple effects, influencing practices and policies far beyond the event itself. Attendees are encouraged to share insights, integrate new techniques into their work, and inspire others to engage with the organization’s mission.

Looking Ahead

For those who missed the opportunity to attend in Quebec City, NAPCRG has several upcoming events, including the Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) conference in Reston, VA, from June 2-3, 2025, and the next Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA, from November 21-25, 2025. These gatherings continue to provide invaluable platforms for advancing primary care research and fostering global connections. Anyone can view the conference proceedings and plenary recordings on the NAPCRG website.

As the 2024 NAPCRG Annual Meeting demonstrated, conferences are not just about presenting research but about building a community of shared purpose and progress. Quebec City’s inspiring setting and the dedication of attendees underscored the power of collaboration in creating a healthier, more equitable future for all.