Clinician and Staff Perspectives on Participating in Practice-based Research (PBR): A Report from the Wisconsin Research and Education Network (WREN).
BACKGROUND
The success of practice-based research (PBR) depends on the willingness of clinicians and staff to incorporate meaningful and useful research protocols into already demanding clinic schedules. The impact of participation on those who implement multiple projects and how to address the issues that arise during this complex process remain incompletely described. This article reports a qualitative evaluation of the experiences of primary care clinicians and clinic staff who participated in multiple PBR projects with the Wisconsin Research and Education Network (WREN). Also included are their suggestions to researchers and clinicians for future collaborations.


METHODS
For program evaluation purposes, WREN conducted 4 focus groups at its 2014 annual meeting. The main focus group question was, "How has participation in PBR affected you and your clinic?" A total of 27 project members from 13 clinics participated in 4 groups (physicians, nurses, managers, and other clinical staff). The 2-hour sessions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed to identify recurring themes.


RESULTS
Five major focus group themes emerged: receptivity to research, outcomes as a result of participation, barriers to implementation, facilitators of success, and advice to researchers and colleagues. Focus group members find research valuable and enjoy participating in projects that are relevant to their practice, even though many barriers exist. They indicated that research participation produces clinical changes that they believe result in improved patient care. They offered ways to improve the research process, with particular emphasis on collaborative early planning, project development, and communication before, during, and after a project.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinics that participate in WREN projects remain willing to risk potential work constraints because of immediate or impending benefits to their clinical practice and/or patient population. Including a broader array of clinic personnel in the communication processes, especially in the development of relevant research ideas and planning for clinic implementation and ongoing participation in research projects, would address many of the barriers identified in implementing PBR. The themes and supporting quotes identified in this evaluation of WREN projects may inform researchers planning to collaborate with primary care clinics and clinicians and staff considering participating in research endeavors.
From the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI.
Amanda E
AE
Hoffmann
From the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI.
Erin K
EK
Leege
From the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI.
Mary Beth
MB
Plane
From the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI.
Katherine A
KA
Judge
From the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI.
Amy L
AL
Irwin
From the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI.
Regina M
RM
Vidaver
From the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine & Public Health, Madison, WI. dlhahn@wisc.edu.
David L
DL
Hahn
D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D010820:Physicians; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014922:Wisconsin
Practice-based Research; Primary Health Care; Program Evaluation