Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead: Report from the OCHIN Safety Net West Practice-based Research Network (PBRN)

Abstract

Introduction We recently completed a strategic planning process to better understand the development of our five-year-old PBRN and to identify gaps between our original vision and current progress. While many of our experiences are not new to the PBRN community, our reflections may be valuable for those developing or re-shaping PBRNs in a changing health care environment. Lessons Learned We learned about the importance of: (1) Shared vision and commitment to a unique patient population; (2) Strong leadership, mentorship, and collaboration; (3) Creative approaches to engaging busy clinicians and bridging the worlds of academia and community practice; (4) Harnessing data from electronic health records and navigating processes related to data protection, sharing, and ownership. Challenges Ahead We must emphasize research that is timely, relevant, and integrated into practice. One model supporting this goal involves a broader partnership than was initially envisioned for our PBRN, one which includes clinicians, researchers, information architects and quality improvement experts partnering to develop an Innovation Center. This Center could facilitate development of relevant research questions while also addressing ‘quick-turnaround’ needs. Conclusions Gaps remain between our PBRN’s initial vision and current reality. Closing these gaps may require future creativity in partnership building and nontraditional funding sources.

Implementation of a Health Data-Sharing Infrastructure Across Diverse Primary Care Organizations

“…Yet, best practices for developing these data-sharing networks are not well understood. DeVoe et al (2012) reported on developing the OCHIN SafetyNet West Practice-Based Research Network (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, n.d.) and identified challenges in governance of data infrastructure and engaging busy clinicians. Although these are similar to our identified challenges, we had the additional challenge of implementing our infrastructure across practices with disparate EHR systems.…”

“…The Institute of Translational Health Sciences, with its commitment to developing tools that speed translation of discoveries into clinical practice, has supported the development of Data QUEST. This approach may be applicable to many PBRNs affiliated with institutions granted Clinical Translational Science Awards (DeVoe et al, 2012). Determining funding streams that allow for flexibility and nimbleness in the initial rollout of data-sharing infrastructures is critical to success, as is developing ongoing resources for maintenance and growth of the infrastructures.…”

Designing Health Information Technology Tools to Prevent Gaps in Public Health Insurance

“…These clinics are members of the OCHIN Inc., practice-based research network, and share a common EHR 20 , 21. We observed clinic operations and conducted one-on-one, semi-structured interviews with five to seven people at each clinic ( N = 26).…”

Building Research Infrastructure in Community Health Centers: A Community Health Applied Research Network (CHARN) Report

“…14 OCHIN invested a large amount of its CHARN funding to augment its PBRN staff and clinic champions for research at the clinics most involved with the PBRN. The tangible fruit of that investment is a significantly stronger capacity for provider-researcher communication and “matchmaking” between providers and researchers, which was achieved in 2 ways.…”