Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) Resources
PBRN Research Good Practice
The Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) Research Good Practices, or PRGPs, were developed for the specific context of multi-site research conducted in the clinical practice setting. This PRGP document is the culmination of a mixed-methods research project in which over one hundred researchers contributed their experience, expertise and wisdom to identify research best practices, and then to detail recommendations and strategies to support the primary care research enterprise.
The James Lind Alliance Guidebook on Patient Engagement
The JLA is a non-profit United Kingdom (UK) initiative which was established in 2004. It brings UK patients, clinicians, and researchers together to identify and prioritize the unanswered questions about the effects of treatments. This information will help ensure that those who fund health research are aware of what matters to both patients and clinicians.
Patient Engagement and Canada’s SPOR Initiative
An important goal of Canada’s Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (SPOR) is for patients, researchers, health care providers and decision-makers to actively collaborate to build a sustainable, accessible and equitable health care system and bring positive changes in the health of people living in Canada. Since patients are at the heart of SPOR, they must be involved as much and as meaningfully as possible in order for health research to be more responsive to the needs of Canadians.
What Is A Pragmatic Clinical Trial
Clinical trials have been the main tool used by the health sciences community to test and evaluate interventions. Trials can fall into two broad categories: pragmatic and explanatory. Pragmatic trials are designed to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in real-life routine practice conditions, whereas explanatory trials aim to test whether an intervention works under optimal conditions and/or explore biologic mechanisms. Pragmatic trials produce results that can be generalized and applied in routine practice settings. Since most results from exploratory trials fail to be broadly generalizable, the “pragmatic design” has gained momentum. This article summarizes the scientific concepts underlying pragmatic clinical trials as a research technique that is worthy of wider use.
The PRECIS-2 tool: designing trials that are fit for purpose
PRECIS is a tool to help trialists make design decisions consistent with the intended purpose of their trial. The authors give guidance on how to use an improved, validated version, PRECIS-2, which has been developed with the help of over 80 international trialists, clinicians, and policymakers. PRECIS-2 keeps the original simple “spoke and wheel” format to display domains along the “pragmatic explanatory” continuum.
Surveying Clinicians by Web: Current Issues in Design and Administration
The versatility, speed, and reduced costs with which web surveys can be conducted with clinicians are often offset by low response rates. Drawing on best practices and general recommendations in the literature, this review provides an evidence-based overview of methods for conducting online surveys with providers. It highlights important advantages and disadvantages of conducting provider surveys online and includes a review of differences in response rates between web and mail surveys of clinicians.
CIRTification: Training in Human Research Protections for Community-Engaged Research Partners
To foster authentic community engagement, human research ethics training should provide relevant, meaningful information and build skills. Compliance with a requirement should not be the only goal; training should also enhance knowledge, skills, and capacity. Ideally, community research partners who complete CIRTification will not only learn about the importance of protecting research participants but also be empowered to substantially contribute to the ethical practices of their respective research collaborations.
