1) Get in touch with the Secretariat
Countries interested in joining Cycle 2 of PaRIS are encouraged to contact the Secretariat at paris_survey@oecd.org. The Secretariat will organise a bilateral meeting to explain the process in more detail and discuss feasibility and priorities.
2) Express interest through the OECD
OECD member and non-member countries can express their interest in participating through their government representatives to the OECD, typically via Ministries of Health or national statistical and health agencies.
3) Sign the Participation Agreement
Interested countries will be asked to sign a Participation Agreement in 2026, at which point the country commits to participation in Cycle 2 (2026-2030). Through the Agreement, countries agree to contribute funding, expertise, and organisational support.
4) Appoint a Delegate to the Working Party on PaRIS
Countries are invited to appoint a delegate to the Working Party on PaRIS (WP-PaRIS). The delegate should have knowledge of survey research and be in a position to represent their country's views. The delegate serves as the primary focal point with the Secretariat, will receive all relevant information via an online community, and will be invited to two meetings per year: one in-person and one online. As the WP-PaRIS resides under the Health Committee, regular communication with the Health Committee delegation is advisable.
5) Appoint a National Project Manager
Participating countries appoint a National Project Manager (NPM), who is responsible for the national implementation of the survey and serves as the focal point for all practical matters. NPMs typically have experience with survey research and are well-connected within the primary care field. In most countries, NPMs are senior researchers based in research institutes or university departments specialising in health services or primary care research.
6) Implement the survey nationally
Countries conduct the survey nationally, typically covering primary care users aged 45 and over and primary care practices. Implementation follows OECD protocols to ensure international comparability. The OECD and its contractors provide technical support and guidance at every stage, including translation, field testing, and data collection, as well as training, manuals, and an online data collection platform.
Feel free to reach out to the Secretariat at paris_survey@oecd.org with any questions. We look forward to welcoming new countries to the PaRIS community.