Characterizing a practice-based research network: Oregon Rural Practice-Based Research Network (ORPRN) survey tools.
OBJECTIVE
To present the survey methods and instruments used to characterize a geographically and professionally diverse rural practice-based research network (PBRN).


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of Oregon PBRN (ORPRN) member practices and clinicians using a 3-part survey including a survey of the practices, of clinician members, and an anonymous survey of clinician satisfaction.


RESULTS
A total of 31 of 32 (97%) participating ORPRN practices completed the practice survey, 96 of 129 (74%) clinicians within these practices completed the clinician member survey, and 81 of 129 (63%) clinicians completed an anonymous survey of clinician satisfaction. The survey provided a detailed description of the structure of member practices, patient and clinician demographics, services provided by the practices, and access to specialty and ancillary services.


CONCLUSIONS
Survey tools that describe the network practices and individual clinician characteristics contribute to an understanding of the research capacity of an individual PBRN.
Fagnan
Lyle J
LJ
Oregon Rural Practice-Based Research Network, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, USA. fagnanl@ohsu.edu
Morris
Cynthia
C
Shipman
Scott A
SA
Holub
Jennifer
J
King
Anne
A
Angier
Heather
H
D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D009922:Oregon; D010819:Physician's Role; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires