Social network analysis as an analytic tool for interaction patterns in primary care practices.
OBJECTIVE
Social network analysis (SNA) provides a way of quantitatively analyzing relationships among people or other information-processing agents. Using 2 practices as illustrations, we describe how SNA can be used to characterize and compare communication patterns in primary care practices.


METHODS
Based on data from ethnographic field notes, we constructed matrices identifying how practice members interact when practice-level decisions are made. SNA software (UCINet and KrackPlot) calculates quantitative measures of network structure including density, centralization, hierarchy and clustering coefficient. The software also generates a visual representation of networks through network diagrams.


RESULTS
The 2 examples show clear distinctions between practices for all the SNA measures. Potential uses of these measures for analysis of primary care practices are described.


CONCLUSIONS
SNA can be useful for quantitative analysis of interaction patterns that can distinguish differences among primary care practices.
Scott
John
J
Department of Family Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. scottjg@umdnj.edu
Tallia
Alfred
A
Crosson
Jesse C
JC
Orzano
A John
AJ
Stroebel
Christine
C
DiCicco-Bloom
Barbara
B
O'Malley
Dena
D
Shaw
Eric
E
Crabtree
Benjamin
B
D003657:Decision Making; D005194:Family Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011216:Practice Management, Medical; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration