title: Community pharmacist participation in a practice-based research network: a report from the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the experiences and opinions of pharmacists serving as site coordinators for the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retail chain, independent, and hospital/health system outpatient community pharmacies throughout Indiana, with a total of 127 pharmacy members represented by 26 site coordinators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rx-SafeNet, a statewide practice-based research network (PBRN) formed in 2010 and administered by the Purdue University College of Pharmacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Barriers and facilitators to participation in available research studies, confidence participating in research, and satisfaction with overall network communication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  22 of 26 site coordinators participated, resulting in an 85% response rate. Most (72.2%) of the respondents had received a doctor of pharmacy degree, and 13.6% had postgraduate year (PGY)1 residency training. The highest reported benefits of PBRN membership were an enhanced relationship with the Purdue University College of Pharmacy (81% agreed or strongly agreed) and enhanced professional development (80% agreed or strongly agreed). Time constraints were identified as the greatest potential barrier to network participation, reported by 62% of respondents. In addition, the majority (59%) of survey respondents identified no prior research experience. Last, respondents' confidence in performing research appeared to increase substantially after becoming network members, with 43% reporting a lack of confidence in engaging in research before joining the network compared with 90% reporting confidence after joining the network.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In general, Rx-SafeNet site coordinators appeared to experience increased confidence in research engagement after joining the network. While respondents identified a number of benefits associated with network participation, concerns about potential time constraints remained a key barrier to participation. These findings will assist network leadership in identifying opportunities to positively increase member participation in the future.
authors.affiliation: Eskenazi Health, Indianapolis, IN; At time of research, Student Pharmacist, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
authors.forename: Puja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Meijer Pharmacy, Plainfield, IN; at time of research, Student Pharmacist, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hemmeger
authors.affiliation: Community Pharmacy Research, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kozak
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL; At time of research, Hook Drug Foundation Fellow in Community Practice Research, College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
authors.forename: Stephanie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Gernant
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN. Electronic address: snyderme@purdue.edu.
authors.forename: Margie E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Snyder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008875:Middle Aged; D061214:Patient Safety; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology; D024382:Professional Role; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires