General practice research should be in the hands of general practitioners (GPs) . GPs' participation in research is an important condition of development of the discipline. Compared with other clinical medicines, the research activities of GPs need to be enhanced.

Based on the perspectives and actions of GPs worldwide towards research, this study aims to investigate the driving forces and obstacles underlying the development of family medicine.

Rapid literature review, using PubMed data to understand opinions of international general practice colleagues.

Over 90% GPs thought research was very important, 60% of GPs were interested in research, 30% expressed willingness to participate, 10% were actually involving research, and less than 1% of GPs published research results. In terms of attitude and ability, GPs believe that the lack of relevance between research and actual clinical practice weakens the usefulness of research; some GPs believe that research work is not part of their own duties and out of their abilities; less than half of doctors believe research training should provide to registrars. The barriers for research included heavy clinical workloads, too much paperwork, increasing clinical management requirements, doctors' goals of making more money, and lack of research practice, support and research funds. Facilitating factors for research included access to good research mentors, having the opportunity to join well-known and well-designed general practice research projects, or having access to more information resources through research activities. GPs' factors include experience, diligence and hard work, frequent participation in research training, frequent reading of academic literatures, and running or managing their own general practice.

Research activity in general practice is low and high-quality research results are few. Research methodology training is one of the strategies to promote general medical research. Same important, we should also pay more attention to the intrinsic motivation and intensity of doctors' participation in research, provide doctors with research time and funding resources, and encourage the establishment and maintenance of a core team and network for general practice research, as well to develop the research ideas and culture of critical thinking in general practice area.