DEFINITIONS
Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are groups of practices networked together to serve ambulatory patients, usually affiliated with professional organizations or university schools of medicine with the objective of asking and answering questions that arise from daily practice.
Jones C. (2006). Laboratories of primary care Practice-based research networks in Canada. Canadian Family Physician 52, 1045-1046
The Networks are groups of local practices supported to undertake research relevant to general practice and the local community's needs.
Dwan KM, Magin PJ. (2008). The desire for research in general practice. Australian Family Physician 37(10) 871-873
PBRNs are sustained collaborations between practitioners and academicians dedicated to developing relevant research questions, working together on study design and conduct, and translating new knowledge into practice.
Pearce K, et al. (2004). How and Why to Study the Practice Content of a Practice-Based Research Network. Ann Fam Med 2(5), 425-428
AIMS
A research network is an organisation that aims to increase the involvement of primary care professionals in research.
Clement S, Pickering A, Rowlands G, Thiru K, Candy B, de Lusignan S. (2000). Towards a conceptual framework for evaluating primary care research networks. British Journal of General Practice, 50, 651-652
One aim of PBRNs is to create short feedback loops between clinician-generated questions, research into these questions, and changes in practice.
Alexander G, Clancy C. (1994). Practice-based Research: Laboratories for Health Care Reform, Journal of Family Practice, 38(4), 428-430
Extending the evidence base of family practice is the overriding objective of these networks, and their main focus is on common morbidities.
Van Weel C, Smith H, Beasley JW. (2000). Family Practice Research Networks. The Journal of Family Practice, 49(10), 938-943
worth reading/resources
Australian literature
- Armstrong K, Kendall E. (2010). Translating Knowledge into Practice and Policy: The Role of Knowledge Networks in Primary Health Care. Health Information Management Journal. 39(2), 9-17
- Soos M, Temple-Smith M, Gunn J, Johnston-Ata’Ata K, Pirotta M. (2010). Establishing the Victorian Primary Care Practice Based Research Network. Australian Family Physician. 39(11), 857-862
- Zwar NA, Weller DP, McDloughan L, Traynor VJ. (2006). Supporting research in primary care: are practice based research networks the missing link? Med J Aust. 185, 110-3
- Dwan KM, Magin PJ. (2008). The desire for research in general practice. Aust Fam Physician. 37(10), 871-3
 McIntyre E. (2009). Editorial:Practice Based Research Networks: a way to go. PHC RIS infonet. 13(3), 1 - McIntyre E. (2009). PHCRED Supported PBRNs. PHC RIS infonet. 13(3), 11-12
- Gunn JM. (2002). Should Australia develop primary care research networks? Med J Aust. 177, 63-66
- Stocks N. (2002). Primary care research networks for Australia? Aust Fam Physician. 31(2), 193-4
- Laurence C, Beilby J, Marley J, Newbury J, Wilkinson D, Symon B. (2001). Establishing a practice based research network. Aust Fam Physician. 30(5), 508-12
Overseas literature
- Tapp H and Dulin M. (2010). The science of primary health-care improvement: potential and use of community-based participatory research by practice-based research networks for translation of research into practice. Experimental Biology and Medicine. 235: 290-99
- Mold JW, Peterson KA. (2005). Primary Care Practice-Based Research Networks: Working at the Interface Between Research and Quality Improvement. Annals of Family Medicine. 3, S12-S20
- Van Weel C. (2005). Longitudinal Research and data collection in primary care, Annals of Family Medicine. Vol 3(1), 546-51
- The United States Department of Health and Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, provides a list of Essential PBRN Literature.
- Griffiths F, Wild A, Harvey J, Fenton E. (2000). The productivity of primary care research networks. British Journal of General Practice. 50(460), 913-5
- Thomas P, Kai J, O’Dwye RA, Griffiths F. (2000). Primary care groups and research networks: opportunities for R & D in context. British Journal of General Practice. 50(451), 91-2
- Thomas P, Griffiths F, Kai J, O’Dwyer A. (2001). Networks for research in primary health care. British Medical Journal. 322, 588-90
PBRNs around the world
Increasing numbers of practice based research networks are being developed around the world. Although not a comprehensive list the following sites have links to other networks.
Canada - National Research System (NaReS)
NaReS was formed in 1976 and membership includes primary care practitioners from across Canada with an interest in answering research questions that arise from day to day practice.
Europe - European General Practice Research Network (EGPRN)
EGPRN began in 1971 with membership including anyone interested or involved in primary care research from more than 30 European countries. It promotes excellence in research, supports researchers and fosters and coordinates multi-national studies.
United Kingdom - Primary Care Research Network
The PCRN is funded by the Department of Health to support primary care practitioners undertake research to ensure improved treatment and services for NHS patients.
United States - Practice-Based Research Networks
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality PBRN funds primary care practice-based research networks and provides support with a resource centre, peer learning groups, an annual conference, library of research and a secure portal for sharing documents and collaborating.
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ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
There are three types of organisational structures most common to PBRNs:
- Top-down networks - led by professional researchers with an emphasis on high quality research
- Bottom-up networks - led by practitioners in the field with an emphasis on generating research relevant to clinical practice
- Whole-system networks - multidisciplinary approach to create cultural change.
Many of the PBRNs in Australia are supported by a university department of general practice, which is able to provide both an organisational structure and academic expertise.
PRACTICE-BASED RESEARCH NETWORKS IN AUSTRALIA
One of the serious barriers affecting Practice Based Research Networks (PBRNs) is financial support. Whilst currently the Australian Government does not directly fund PBRNs, several universities are supporting them. Australian primary health care Research Networks are practice-based or topic-focused.
Practice Network (PracNet)
PracNet is based in Canberra and comprises the NSW environs of Bungendore, Young, Cooma, Bega and Braidwood. The purpose is to conduct research important to GPs and their practices and build the research knowledge and skills of GPs. The network comprises GPs from Canberra and southern NSW, plus staff from the Academic Unit of General Practice and Community Health (AUGPCH).
Primary Health Care Research Network - GP (PHReNet-GP)
PHReNet-GP spans the NSW regions of Southwest, South and Eastern Sydney, Greater Murray, Illawarra and Shoalhaven. The purpose is to support general practices and divisions of general practice to achieve high quality priority driven primary health care research that makes a difference to clinical practice and health policy. The network enables GPs to contribute to research projects led by the UNSW Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (CPHCE).
The Victorian Primary Care Practice Based Research Network VicReN
VicReN is based at the University of Melbourne, Department of General Practice. It brings together primary care practitioners (GPs, practice nurses, community and allied heath professionals) with academic GPs and other researchers in long-term collaborations. VicReN aims to produce high quality research relevant to primary care clinical practice and to influence policy
Network of Research General Practices (NRGP)
The discipline of General Practice and University Department of Rural Health at the University of Newcastle collaborated to establish the Network of Research General Practices (NRGP) covering the Hunter, Central Coast and New England regions of NSW. The NRGP includes primary health care practitioners (GPs, practice nurses and allied health professionals) who are interested in being supported to conduct research and evaluation projects within their own general practice setting. The NRPG is committed to fostering a culture of inquiry and building research capacity within general practice in order to produce findings relevant to clinical practice and the wider primary care community.
North Queensland Practice Based Research Network (NQ PBRN)
NQPBRN is coordinated by the Rural Health Research Unit, School of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University. Members of this network include Practice Nurses and GPs with a common interest in answering questions through developing practice-based research and gathering data. The Network’s aims are to encourage primary health care research across north Queensland and to support GPs and practice nurses to gain research experience. Members are based in Townsville, Cairns, and Mackay; however enquires are welcome from General Practices in north Queensland.
Greater Green Triangle Research Network
This research network which is predominantly a PBRN, evolved over time from the original Greater Green Triangle CVD Prevention Partnership in 2001. Members of the research network participated in a diabetes prevention program and risk factor studies from 2004-2006, and in the randomized control trial of a collaborative care model for comorbid depression, diabetes and heart disease. The practices will also be involved in the work of the APHCRI Centre for Research Excellence: Quality, Governance, Performance and Sustainability.
Illawarra & Southern Practice Research Network (ISPRN)
The ISPRN network is co-ordinated through the University of Wollongong covering the regions of the Illawarra and Southern NSW. It is dedicated to excellence in primary care research and to support early and mid career primary care researchers develop high quality research skills, with a specific focus on regional and rural primary health care.
South-East Queensland Research Network (SEQRN)
Originally established by the University of Queensland the SEQRN expanded to include Griffith and Bond Universities. The SEQRN ceased operating in 2011.
The Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group (PC4)
PC4 is coordinated by the University of Western Australia to support the operations of the network and is funded by Cancer Australia. The aims of PC4 are to improve cancer outcomes in Australia by supporting the development of high quality cancer research and to build research capacity. PC4 is free and open to all researchers and health professionals with in interest in cancer research in primary care.
Practice-Based Research Network for GPs in NSW (SydReN)
SydReN is co-ordinated through the University of Sydney, Sydney Medical School as part of the PC4 research network with a focus of cancer clinical trials in primary care. The purpose is to link primary care practitioners with an interest in research to engage in relevant, high quality research and contribute to research projects that make a difference to practice, public health and policy. A webpage is due in 2012. For further information contact Brandi Baylock – 9351 3137 or brandi.baylock@sydney.edu.au
Youth Health Research Interest Group (YHRIG)
YHRIG is an international network of academics, clinicians, health professionals, managers, administrators and policy makers who wish to promote and improve the status of youth health and wellbeing in Australia through research and evaluation in primary care and community settings. The objectives are to advance research in youth health in primary care and community settings; to network with other state, territory, national and international research groups whose focus includes primary health care and young people; and to advocate for health and policy reform that would advance the health of young people in Australia. YHRIG is facilitated by the University of Sydney, Discipline of General Practice.
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