title: How representative of typical practice are practice-based research networks? A report from the Ambulatory Sentinel Practice Network Inc (ASPN)
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the patients and practices of family physicians in a national practice-based research network to understand whether results from practice-based research networks are likely to be relevant to other practicing clinicians.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey focused on family physicians that replicated the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Ambulatory Sentinel Practice Network Inc (ASPN), a practice-based research network, consisting of volunteer primary care practices that serve approximately 350,000 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparison of visits reported in ASPN with the visits reported in the 1990 NAMCS in terms of patient demographics, reasons for visit, diagnostic and therapeutic services, diagnoses, disposition, and amount of time spent with patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, the two samples differed with respect to demographic characteristics of patients, while problems, diagnoses, services, disposition, and time spent with patients were similar. Specific pair-wise comparisons identified areas of difference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ASPN and possibly other similar practice-based research networks are sufficiently representative of family practice to serve as useful laboratories in which family practice and primary care can be explored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Iverson
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Barley
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients; D010821:Physicians, Family / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D012106:Research