Preventing the voltage drop: keeping practice-based research network (PBRN) practices engaged in studies.

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Primary Care Research
• Practice-Based Research Networks

Background:

• Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) are crucial for pragmatic studies.
• Long-term evaluations (up to 5 years) are increasingly common in PBRNs.
• Sustaining practice site engagement is challenging due to potential declines in participation, known as 'voltage drop'.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe strategies for maintaining practice site engagement in long-term PBRN studies.
• To address the challenge of participant attrition in multi-year research.

Main Methods:

• Review and adaptation of engagement strategies over 15 years.
• Description of concepts, details, and evaluation of implemented strategies.
• Focus on facilitating continued active engagement in PBRN studies.

Main Results:

• Eight distinct strategies were developed and applied.
• Strategies enhance practice site attention to enrollment and data collection.
• Methods support the continued use of implemented practice changes.

Conclusions:

• The decline in participation ('voltage drop') in long-term PBRN studies is a significant issue.
• Multiple strategies can effectively mitigate this decline.
• Sustained engagement is achievable through targeted interventions.