Evaluating effective growth and development of a Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) can be challenging. The purpose of this article is to describe the development of a logic model and how the framework has been used for planning and evaluation in a primary care PBRN. An evaluation team was formed consisting of the PBRN directors, staff and its board members. After the mission and the target audience were determined, facilitated meetings and discussions were held with stakeholders to identify the assumptions, inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and outcome indicators. The long-term outcomes outlined in the final logic model are two-fold: 1.) Improved health outcomes of patients served by PBRN community clinicians; and 2.) Community clinicians are recognized leaders of quality research projects. The Logic Model proved useful in identifying stakeholder interests and dissemination activities as an area that required more attention in the PBRN. The logic model approach is a useful planning tool and project management resource that increases the probability that the PBRN mission will be successfully implemented.

Purpose To examine the prevalence of difficult psychiatrist-patient interactions of 20 psychiatrists in the South Texas Psychiatric PBRN, determine what characteristics were associated with “difficult” patients, and compare findings with previous studies in primary care. Methods During a 2-month observational study, psychiatrists collected patient information on setting, demographics, diagnoses, medications and rated the patients using a Difficult Doctor Patient Relationship Questionnaire (DDPRQ-10) which had previously been used and validated in the primary care setting. Results A total of 905 valid data cards were collected. Difficult patients were identified in 15% of the sample. Diagnoses of schizophrenia, alcohol/substance abuse, and personality disorder were associated with difficulty. Psychiatrists least burdened by difficult patients were older, in solo practice, and worked 51-55 hours per week. Conclusions This cross-sectional study demonstrates that psychiatrists encounter difficult patients at a similar rate (15%) as do primary care physicians. Mentoring programs and structured treatment interventions for the most difficult patient groups may assist all physicians who treat psychiatric patients whether in specialty, family medicine, or other primary care settings.

Results showed that birth interval is a significant predictor of school readiness with a P-value <0.001 even after controlling for various socio-demographic factors. Children born with inadequate birth intervals (less than 24 months) are more likely to fail the Cognitive Skills Assessment Battery compared with those with adequate birth intervals. Potential implications of this research include promoting optimal birth spacing to improve the likelihood that future first graders will come to school ready to learn.

PBRNs are a promising laboratory for generating research questions directly from clinicians, conducting meaningful research, and then disseminating the findings to the larger community to accelerate positive change.