This article is a contribution to a discussion about the position of general medicine in the Czech Republic. Possibilities for development of this branch as a regular academic discipline, entirely comparable with classical medical branches of the Medical Faculty, are given. Some problems and differences in primary care in comparison with clinical medicine are stressed. New potential possibilities for participation of the medical faculties’ academic work places in specialization training according to on-going legislative changes are presented. The specificities of the research and the problems in primary care are pointed out. This research will help the general medicine to achieve equality with other academic disciplines.

        Key words: general/practical medicine, specialization training, primary care research, guidelines, family medicine.