[A model, by making common task force out of scientific organisation, the academic sector and governmental institute, was realised in Hungary to support the specific family physician training and to implement research and development projects in the primary healthcare. Part I].

It is internationally recognized that the best method for practicing general medical care is family medicine, based on the correct relationship between the physician and the patients/families, where the principles of disease prevention and patient care meet, and the cost-benefit rates are better. In Hungary, a major part of the health reform had been the advancement of a primary care system by the international standards of modern family medicine. The Scientific Association of the Hungarian General Practitioners (SAHGP), founded in 1967, has adviced - from its onset - to introduce a new, independent medical specialty named 'general practice' which was finally realised in 1974. That was followed, according to the Welfare Ministry Order No. 6/1993, by the specific training program for general practice which prescribed, also for the in-service GP-s, to complete an individual postgraduate training, to be ended by a state specialty exam in family practice, under conduction of the regional medical schools. Furthermore, for strengthening the primary healthcare, in 1998 the government established - uniquely in Europe - the National Institute of Primary Healthcare (NIPHC). So a unique task force has gained shape which included the academic sector, the professional NGO and the governmental background institution in order to manage: 1) human resource supply in PHC, 2) to implement statewide professional and public health goals as well as 3) to manage research and development projects. This paper takes a look back at the early events of this process as well as tries to offer an insight into the results and conclusions of the performed research projects, highlighting those which can be potentially usable in further professional development of the Hungarian PHC. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(32): 1310-1316.