Future Directions for Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs): A CERA Survey

Abstract

Background: Thought leaders from family medicine and practice-based research networks (PBRNs) have put forth definitions and goals recommending future directions for PBRNs. Evidence demonstrating that PBRNs are acting in accordance with these trends supports future investment in PBRN infrastructure, funding, and training of clinician researchers. Our objective was to explore the alignment of PBRN research efforts with thought leader recommendations. Methods: The 2017 Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance surveyed PBRN directors via emails to 126 respondents. This survey included 6 general background questions about PBRN characteristics. An additional 25 questions focused on current and future research directions, including the training of health care professionals about PBRN research.Results: The survey response rate was 56/126 (44%). Physician faculty receive continuing medical education credit for PBRN training (reported by 12/56 of PBRN directors). PBRN provided continuing medical education for study participation (24/56), reviewing study results (7/56), attending a study results presentation (24/56), and attending study planning meetings (13/56). Practice-based research education of medical students and residents was reported at 11/56 and 14/56, respectively. Current PBRN research efforts were most frequent in the areas of community engagement, practice transformation, and quality improvement projects.Conclusion: PBRNs currently thrive on conducting research predominantly in quality improvement and practice transformation. However, the study findings suggest that moving forward, PBRNs should participate more in training the future generations of primary care researchers and to address health policy needs. (J Am Board Fam Med 2018;31:917-923.)

Parent Perceptions of and Preferences for Participation in Child Health Research: Results from a Pediatric Practice-Based Research Network

“…11 Accordingly, most research on PBRN recruitment and enrollment has been with adults and has primarily focused on provider and community engagement. [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Few PBRN studies have focused on child or parent perspectives, and these have primarily been from dental or chiropractic PBRNs. 20 -22 To address this knowledge gap, we designed and implemented a study within our pediatric PBRN to better understand parents' perceptions about and preferences for participation in child health research.…”

Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) Engagement: 20+ Years and Counting

“…The articles in this 2018 JABFM theme issue highlight that practice-based research is alive and well; however, we are concerned about the state of PBRNs. In this issue, only 4 articles report PBRN research 23,25,40,42 and the others report non-PBRN practice-based research. So, how important are PBRNs to practice-based research?…”

“…We have a major pipeline issue, with little resources for training the next generation of PBRN researchers. Binienda et al 42 surveyed 126 PBRN directors to document current PBRN efforts, compared with what thought leaders suggested in the past. They discovered that research efforts involve mainly community engagement, practice transformation, and QI projects.…”

Residency Scholarship Within Practice-based Research Networks

“…8 A more recent CERA survey of PBRN directors did note that 80% of responding PBRNs included at least one residency program, although the majority of those (61%) included three or fewer programs. 9 The regional PBRN we (authors A.W. and R.G.)…”