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

Abstract

Purpose Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs) and Practice-based Research Networks (PBRNs) have complementary missions. We replicated a 2008 survey of CTSA-PBRN leaders to understand how organizational relationships have evolved. Methods We surveyed 60 CTSA community engagement (CE) Directors and 135 PBRN Directors and analyzed data using between and within-group comparisons. Results Forty-three percent of CTSA CE Directors (26/60) and forty-two percent of PBRN Directors (57/135) responded. Quantitative responses revealed growing alignment between CTSA/PBRN perceptions, with a few areas of discordance. CE Directors noted declining financial support for PBRNs. PBRN Directors identified greater CTSA effectiveness in PBRN engagement, consultation, and collaborative grant submissions. Qualitative data revealed divergent experiences across CTSA/PBRN programs. Conclusions Relationships between CTSAs and PBRNs are maturing; for some that means strengthening and for others a growing vulnerability. Findings suggest a mutual opportunity for PBRNs and CTSAs around applied research. Studies to characterize exemplar CTSA-PBRN collaborations are needed.

Bringing Parent Voices into a Pediatric Research Network Through a Virtual Parent Panel

“…If interested in joining the Parent Panel, parents provided contact information that was separate from any of their previous responses and was not able to be linked to their vaccine survey. Parents were recruited for the vaccine survey in 1 of 3 ways: (1) from an e-mail listing associated with our pediatric PBRN-affiliated practice group, (2) a posting on our Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Research Registry, or (3) a targeted e-mail from this CTSI registry based on demographic information and interest in research. Eligible parents for this online survey were 18 years or older and had previously accompanied their child to a pediatric primary care office to receive routine vaccinations.…”

“…PBRNs are multidimensional networks that incorporate (1) community-engaged research, (2) participatory implementation research, (3) quality improvement initiatives, (4) continuing education, and (5) the training of future generations of translational investigators. 1 PBRNs help identify problems in daily practice, demonstrate if treatments are effective and sustainable in real-world settings, and provide the "laboratory" for testing system improvements. 2 PBRNs directly engage the medical practice community, where communities may be defined as geographic, demographic, disease specific, or a combination of these definitions.…”

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

“…Another research opportunity is collaborating with Clinical and Translational Science Awardees on community engagement, especially as the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Sciences) Clinical and Translational Science Awardees report 14 emphasized community engagement at all levels of research as a necessary component of translational research. 15,16,17 Despite these initiatives, PBRNs remain a largely untapped and unsupported research resource available to academic health centers and the larger research community.…”

Aligning systems science and community-based participatory research: A case example of the Community Health Advocacy and Research Alliance (CHARA)

“…Nearly 2 decades ago, the Institute of Medicine (IOM, now National Academy of Medicine) identified 2 gaps in research translation: (1) moving basic science discoveries into clinical research (bench to bedside) and (2) moving from clinical research into medical practice and health decision-making (bedside into practice) [7,8]. In response to this challenge, approaches supporting partnered research have blossomed, including practice-based research networks [9,10], the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program [11,12], and various strategies for community/stakeholder engagement in research [13,14].…”