Practice-Based Research Networks
The Community & Practice Research (CPR) program supports and facilitates the work of local Practice-based Research Networks (PBRNs). PBRNs provide ideal circumstances for testing quality innovations and improvements in clinical care in diverse populations.
One Practice-based Research Network with which the CPR program is closely involved is the Oregon Rural Practice Network (ORPRN) directed by CPR team member LJ Fagnan. ORPRN is a statewide network of rural primary care clinicians dedicated to improving the health of rural Oregonians through community and practice-based clinical research.
Two other Practice-based Research Networks with significant overlaps are SafetyNet West, a network of Federally Qualified Health Centers throughout northern California, Oregon and southern Washington, and OCHIN whose mission is to improve the health of the medically underserved through the best use of information and information technology. OCHIN now includes 23 organizations and approximately 150 clinics that provide care to underserved patients with an over-representation of racial and ethnic minorities, Medicaid patients and uninsured patients. All clinics in the OCHIN network share the same EPIC electronic record system, providing for unparalleled research opportunities with underserved populations. Oregon Health & Science University and the Kaiser Health Care System in Portland also share the EPIC electronic record medical system.
In addition to these core research networks, the CPR program has ties to three Oral Health Practice-based Research Networks (PROH, PRECEDENT, Dental PBRN). These networks are developing the research infrastructure, across the region and country, for generating practical, timely information that can be used by dental practitioners to enhance the quality and efficacy of oral health care. Another major research network is the Kaiser Permanente system; See more information on conducting research within Kaiser.
In addition to these PBRNs, OHSU is home to an Evidence-Based Practice Center which is producing high quality evidence-based systematic reviews, and the Eisenberg Center for Clinical Decisions and Communication Sciences which produces easily digested physician and patient summaries. These products offer opportunities for dissemination of evidence-based approaches in the Practice-based Research Networks.
