Practice Based Research Network

A practice-based research network is a group of health care providers or medical clinics that are typically practising in non-university based community environments that are networked for the purpose of examining and evaluating the health care processes that occur in real world practices. They are characterised by an organisational framework that transcends a single practice or study.
They provide a "laboratory" for studying populations of patients and care providers in community-based settings.1, 2

The concept is that these networks collaborate with academics to develop relevant research questions that arise from daily practice.3 The network members are then supported to select a topic, design methodology to investigate, conduct studies and translate new knowledge into practice . It is intended these collaborations create short feedback loops between clinician-generated questions, research into these questions and changes in practice.4

Armstrong and Kendal (2010) suggested that a promising method for supporting the rapid adoption and generation of health information within the primary health care sector to advance health care services is through the establishment of knowledge networks. It is also believed that these networks will be particularly important to the implementation of the national reform agenda, responsive decision-making and the translation of new frameworks or competencies into practice.5, 6

General Practitioners and Allied Health Professionals, including nurses, are well placed on the Sunshine Coast to participate in these types of networks as there is a strong and willing relationship and history of working together on quality improvement processes within the footprint of the local Division of General Practice. SCDGP has a strong interest in creating a research culture within the organisation and the primary care sector it serves and has personnel resources to coordinate the network and liaise with the academic institution. There is an established partnership between SCDGP and the University of Queensland and this burgeoning relationship has led to the vision to jointly facilitate a Sunshine Coast Practice Based Research Network (PBRN). The over-arching goal is to support a network of practitioners to collaborate on a chosen research topic with the view to writing a paper for publication. A number of mechanisms need to be put in place in order for this to eventuate and to begin the journey towards establishing a primary care research culture in the region.

The mechanisms to be implemented as part of this project are to, firstly coordinate the establishment of a research network and put in place the necessary structures to maintain regular contact, communication and sustain mutual benefit and understanding. Secondly, the network will be supported in choosing a question arising from their daily practice and provided a research framework in which to actively participate in the chosen study.

The PBRN met for the first time in July 2011 at which time the group discussed and decided to undertake a small scale local study looking at “The Cost of Wound Care in General Practice”.

Since this time:

  1. The study has been designed
  3. Survey designed to collect data describing nursing care during episode of wound care
  4. Patient participant information and consent form developed
  5. Human Ethical Clearance to conduct research has been sought and granted by University of Queensland Behavioural and Social Sciences Ethical Review Committee
  6. Application for QI&CPD Category 1 (40 CPD) points from RACGP for GP research participants is underway
  7. General Practices in the SCDGP region have been invited to participate in collecting information on all wound care presentations over a two week period in December 2011.

What Now…

  • Data entry into excel spreadsheet (January 2012)
  • Data analysis (February 2012)
  • Feedback data to individual practices (March 2012)
  • Write up results and final paper (April and May 2012)

Sunshine Coast PBRN Membership consists of:

  • General Practitioners
  • Practice Nurses
  • Diabetes Educators
  • Pharmacist
  • Podiatrist
  • Community Nurses
  • Practice Managers
  • Wound Care Nurses

If you would like to be part of the network or would like more information about the study, contact Jenny Morcom at SCDGP on 5456 8814.  

References
1. Dwan K, Magin, P. (2008). The Desire for Research in General Practice. Australian Family Physician Vol. 37, No. 10.http://www.racgp.org.au/afp/200810/200810dwan.pdf [accessed 7/8/11]
2. Jones C. (2006). Laboratories of primary care Practice-based research networks in Canada. Canadian Family Physician 52, 1045-1046
3. 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
4. Audin K, et al (2001). Practice research networks for effective psychological therapies, Journal of Mental Health, Vol. 10, No. 3 , Pages 241-251
5. 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 [accessed 1/8/11]
6. 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