Establishing a rural family practice research network

One approach to addressing the deficit in the primary care knowledge base is to answer clinical questions using a consortium of collaborating practices. Previous reports have described networks that collect descriptive data from many practices, but there are difficulties in establishing and managing large networks. Accordingly, smaller networks may be more valuable in some settings and for some clinical questions. At the University of Missouri, we have developed a research network composed of four rural family practices and a group of study coordinators. Research topics have been chosen, study methods devised, funding obtained, and valuable data collected. Although logistical problems with any diverse network are formidable, a structured approach with careful communication can overcome these difficulties. The lessons from this experience combined with those of larger primary care networks should assist others in implementing research consortiums. Collaborative research by family physicians is practical, feasible, personally and professionally rewarding, and likely to contribute important primary care knowledge.