[Need for primary care training in rare diseases].

Objectives: The problem of the need for primary care (PC) training in rare diseases (RD) is approached through a qualitative research study that tries to define its relevance and to identify the need for RD training in PC.

Methods: By means of naturalistic research methods (in-depth interviews and group dynamics), we tried to discover the personal and professional connotations of PC training in RD in the rural and urban areas of the Community of Madrid, Spain. The areas explored by means of structured interview were: challenges and RD definition; professional experience with RD; relevance of PC for RD; training and information in RD; needs and demands for RD in PC.