title: Generating National Dental PBRN Research Ideas Through the ToP Consensus Method Workshop.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this article is to illustrate the research idea generation process employed by the Southwest Region of the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN; www.NationalDentalPBRN.org) based on the Technology of Participation (ToP) Consensus Method Workshop. This method encourages a high level of participation in the decision-making process through individual, small group, and large group discussions. This approach to idea generation has predominately been used by nonprofit organizations and community groups both nationally and internationally, but offers great potential to study concept development for PBRNs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five independent workshops were designed over a 12-month period. Workshops were held at three academic institutions, one National Dental PBRN meeting, and one as part of a continuing education program. The sessions were directed at general dentists, dental hygienists, and dental researchers to identify research ideas appropriate for examination through the PBRN mechanism.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five groups ranging in size from 11 to 53 (197 participants total) participated in the consensus workshops and generated 205 research ideas. Ideas across the five sessions were collated into novel and common categories of interest, and identified key participants interested in developing research concepts. Participant reaction to the sessions was positive based on evaluation comments and personal interactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Practitioners effectively generated research ideas based on their current needs and daily clinical experience. The experiences presented in this article suggest continued use of the ToP consensus workshop methods within the PBRNs may help bridge the gap between research and practice.
authors.forename: Rahma
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mungia
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hayes
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Theisen
authors.forename: Meredith
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchberg
authors.forename: Colleen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oates
mesh_terms: D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods*; D032921:Consensus; D004493:Education; D006267:Health Education, Dental / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D014481:United States