Praxis-based Research Networks: An Emerging Paradigm for Research That is Rigorous, Relevant, and Inclusive

Abstract

Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) have developed a grounded approach to conducting practice-relevant and translational research in community practice settings. Seismic shifts in the healthcare landscape are shaping PBRNs that work across organizational and institutional margins to address complex problems. Praxis-based research networks combine PBRN knowledge generation with multi-stakeholder learning, experimentation, and practical knowledge application. The catalytic processes in praxis-based research networks are cycles of action and reflection based on experience, observation, conceptualization, and experimentation by network members and partners. To facilitate co-learning and solution-building, these networks have a flexible architecture that allows pragmatic inclusion of stakeholders based on demands of the problem and the needs of the network. Praxis-based research networks represent an evolving trend that combines the core values of PBRNs with new opportunities for relevance, rigor, and broad participation.

A Review of 50-Years of International Literature on the Internal Environment of Building Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs)

“…Through their broader impact on healthcare, policy, and education, members may have also accelerated innovation transfer to other practices. [203][204][205][206][207] Based on our findings, we formulated 5 levels of member engagement on the research participation continuum (see Table 3), including literature-concordant "research leaders," "network champions," "regular collaborators," "advisors," and "informed research-product users." The latter describes practitioners who are influenced by PBRN activity passively ("listeners").…”

The evolving collaborative relationship between Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) and Clinical and Translational Science Awardees (CTSAs)

“…Many changes in CTSAs have been driven by evolving priorities of the CTSA program and recommendations from a 2013 IOM report [7]. In parallel, PBRNs face increasing demands on clinicians’ time, the need to make successful value propositions to healthcare systems for practices’ engagement in research, and pressure to develop the capacity to effectively utilize electronic health information and large administrative data sets in PBRN studies [13, 39–41]. As PBRNs have responded to the needs of their stakeholders, many have recognized that community partners and thus community-engaged research methods are critical to PBRN success [20, 42, 43].…”

Practice-based Research Networks at the Crossroads of Research Translation

“…The extension of the work of PBRNs from network practices into the community was conceptualized by Werner and Stange 15 in a thought-provoking theoretical commentary. Their article echoes what seems to be a recent evolutionary shift in PBRN research.…”