Building the foundation for a practice-based research network: supporting primary care research across Canada

Area of Science:

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

Background:

• The Strategy for Patient Oriented Research (SPOR) aims to involve stakeholders in addressing health challenges with feasible, evidence-based solutions.
• The Primary and Integrated Health Care Innovations Network (PIHCIN) supports primary care transformation to improve patient outcomes.
• Building a cross-jurisdictional, practice-based research network requires a robust foundation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the essential components for establishing a foundational, cross-jurisdictional, practice-based research network.
• To describe the development of the PIHCIN as a pan-Canadian primary health care research platform.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was administered to 11 PIHCIN networks across Canada.
• A review of PIHCI network documentation was conducted.
• Thematic analysis was applied to survey responses and documents.

Main Results:

• Tripartite leadership (clinician, scientist, decision-maker) aligned network needs with provincial/territorial priorities.
• Patient partners were actively engaged in governance and research at all levels.
• Research capacity was built through partnerships (e.g., TUTOR-PHC) and embedded fellows.
• Knowledge translation and exchange activities, including public learning series, demonstrated clear impact.

Conclusions:

• Embedded patient partners, tripartite leadership, capacity building, and knowledge translation are crucial foundational components for PIHCIN.
• These elements have established PIHCIN as an excellent base for a pan-Canadian practice-based research and learning platform.