Adapting practice-based intervention research to electronic environments: opportunities and complexities at two...

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Clinical Informatics
• Pediatric Practice-Based Research

Background:

• Primary care research complexity increased with electronic health record (EHR) adoption.
• Limited information exists on adapting studies from paper to electronic environments.
• This study addresses the evolution of a pediatric intervention study in electronic settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• Describe the adaptation of a pediatric intervention study for electronic environments.
• Inform practice-based researchers on planning efficient and effective studies.
• Enable smoother transitions for studies utilizing electronic health records.

Main Methods:

• Adapted a paper-based intervention for parent-provider communication on subspecialty referrals.
• Implemented the adapted study in two practice-based research networks (PBRNs) with varying electronic capabilities.
• Documented the adaptation process, focusing on feasibility, efficiency, resource use, and administrative/regulatory aspects.

Main Results:

• Significant time and financial resources were needed for adaptation, including extra meetings and training.
• Institutional unfamiliarity with EHRs in research and policy development caused delays.
• Despite challenges, adapting tools to EHRs and minimizing disruptions yielded efficiencies in recruitment, subject tracking, and data collection.

Conclusions:

• Transitioning practice-based research to electronic environments incurs substantial initial costs and time, particularly for unfamiliar institutions.
• Efficiencies gained in study enrollment, subject tracking, and data collection can simplify future research endeavors.