National Practice-Based Research Network Conferences 2017 to 2019 - The North American Primary Care Research Group is proposing to promote, convene, coordinate,
manage, evaluate and disseminate the results of the 13th, 14th and 15th meetings of the Practice-Based
Research Networks (PBRNs) to be held in the summers of 2017, 2018 and 2019. With a projected
attendance of 225, the purpose of the annual two-day conference will be to build on the skills and knowledge
of clinicians, researchers and community partners in evidence-based research to improve the health of the
U.S. population, healthcare delivery systems, and the quality of primary health care. In order to share
translatable insights emanating from research, the conference will link research with clinical practice–
especially primary care practice—by facilitating conversation among conference attendees, policy-makers,
funders, and those participating remotely. AHRQ support for the PBRN conferences helps in achieving the
Secretary’s Healthy People objectives by facilitating practitioners to gain the necessary evidence to deliver
health care that is safe, high quality, accessible, equitable, and affordable.
NAPCRG has successfully hosted the 2012-2015 PBRN conferences and attracted over 200 attendees.
With input from a Steering Committee (SC) experienced with PBRNs and prior PBRN conferences, each
year NAPCRG will select a conference theme and plenary speakers and select papers, workshops and poster
presentations through a call for abstracts. Conference sessions will address the science of research and
operation of PBRNs and provide for presentation of studies focusing on practice and quality improvement,
behavioral health, patient safety, health information technology/electronic health records, diagnosis and
treatment issues in primary care practice, and prevention.
NAPCRG will manage all conference logistics—including a call for abstracts, conference promotion,
registration, continuing education accreditation, conference evaluation, and dissemination of conference
outcomes. A communications and social media strategy will be developed to engage registrants and others
not attending in conference dialogue, encourage publication of papers in peer-reviewed journals,
disseminate conference materials, podcasts and a summary through a conference web site, app, emails,
regular mailings and social media, and invite links to the website from AHRQ and other organizations.
The proposed conferences will provide opportunities for skill-building, knowledge transfer,
brainstorming future research agendas, mentoring, problem solving, learning about organizational/
operational issues and sustainability, and sharing research methods, innovations and outcomes. Attendees
will include a diverse mix of stakeholders involved in PBRN research including academicians, researchers of
different health professions and geographic locations, policy makers and funders, practicing clinicians, and
community members.
