Overcoming Challenges in the Changing Environment of Practice-Based Research

The Article in Brief

Overcoming Challenges in the Changing Environment of Practice-Based Research

Stacia Finch , and colleagues

Background Conducting studies in national practice-based research networks presents logistical and methodological challenges. Research participants in Pediatric Research in Office Settings, the practice-based research network of the American Academy of Pediatrics, describe practical strategies they used to overcome these barriers in a national study.

What This Study Found Key challenges in the changing environment of practice-based research include identifying and recruiting practices, enrolling and screening participants, and achieving an acceptable phone interview response rate. Strategies employed and lessons learned in a recent study included the following. 1) When enrolling a specific population, it is cost-effective and time-efficient to survey potential participating practices beforehand to determine if the sites will serve the expected number of subjects. 2) The process of hiring and placing Research Assistants (RAs) in practices from a distance is a novel approach and a challenging solution. Using RAs to complete screening, consenting, and enrolling of parents, made participation easier for practice staff and practitioners. 3) Although the strategy of using RAs was successful, it was also costly--an additional lesson learned for planning future work. 4) Texting as a response method appears to be feasible, a potentially cost-saving innovation as well as a way to boost study power.

Implications

• The authors assert that the strategies they used to address research challenges can assist research networks in conducting future outcomes studies and practical clinical trials in primary care settings.