Negar Pourbordbari, EGPRN’s national representative for Denmark, answered our questions regarding the EGPRN.

What motivated you to join EGPRN?
The possibility of international networking with what seemed as positive, relaxed albeit ambitious general practitioners with research experience.

How long have you been a National Representative for your country?
Since 2020.

What do you find most rewarding about representing your country within EGPRN?
That I have been able to attend every single conference since becoming a national representative for Denmark, thus building a stable and visible representation. This is particularly important, since not many Danish participants have been attending EGPRN conferences since I joined in 2020.

What topics in primary care research do you find most exciting or urgent right now?
Continuity in primary care and artificial intelligence. 

How has EGPRN helped you connect with other researchers and professionals across Europe?
Just by being a part of every conference and of course the national representative meetings I have felt welcome from the first meeting and continue to feel the support and encouragement. I meet new fellow general practitioners at every conference I attend. Young and older, novice and experienced. 

What do you think makes EGPRN unique compared to other research networks?
Definitely the absence of a pretentious vibe which I find to be present at some other conferences, in comparison. EGPRN is a really good place to share your research, to stand on a stage and to present your poster, your work in an oral presentation or something third. The feedback you get is not harsh, but constructive. The more experienced researchers are active in giving feedback and in my mind show genuine interest in their fellow European researchers’ projects.   

What message would you share with new or potential members of EGPRN?
Just register for a conference if you’ve never attended. It is an excellent first conference experience. 

What advice would you give to young researchers entering family medicine research today?
That there is a larger research network on an international scope, that you probably never heard of in your national medical university before graduating from medical school or maybe even before choosing the specialty of family medicine. Entering research in primary care might even spark a new found interest in the specialty of family medicine, that you didn’t know could happen for you.

What inspires you to keep learning and contributing to the EGPRN community?
The community and opportunity for growth in research projects without feeling a pressure to take in more work than what is suitable for you. The people behind the core of EGPRN is what makes the sometimes difficult and long travel to EGPRN conferences worth it.