Family practice research networks. Experiences from 3 countries

Area of Science:

• Family Medicine Research
• Health Services Research
• Primary Care Research

Background:

• Access to clinical data is vital for advancing family practice.
• Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are increasingly important for data collection.
• International comparison of PBRNs can reveal commonalities and differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the structure, mission, and function of three distinct Practice-based research networks (PBRNs).
• To identify common elements and system-specific variations in PBRNs operating in different healthcare contexts.
• To assess the contribution of PBRNs to the evidence base of family medicine.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of three PBRNs: Wisconsin (USA), Wessex (UK), and Nijmegen (Netherlands).
• Data organized and reviewed across four key areas: network mission, contribution to evidence base, management, and financing.
• Focus on common morbidities and access to unselected patient populations.

Main Results:

• PBRNs share an objective of extending the evidence base in family medicine, focusing on common conditions.
• Networks provide access to diverse, unselected patient populations, though network size varies.
• Common PBRN aspects exist across different healthcare systems, but local factors shape their structure and operations.
• Networks evolve over time, with changing focus and activities.

Conclusions:

• Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are essential for family medicine development, offering valuable patient data.
• Despite variations influenced by local healthcare systems, PBRNs demonstrate common goals and operational aspects.
• Sustainable financial support remains a significant challenge for the infrastructure of these networks.