Fifty Years of Connection: Characterizing the Social Network of a Primary Care Research Organization

Context: Collaboration has long been recognized as central to success and progress in scientific endeavors. While these relationships are often represented in social network analyses of co-authorship in publications, fewer studies have investigated the impact of a single organization on a greater breadth of scientific collaboration.

Objective: To characterize the number and depth of social connections between members of the North American Primary Care Research Group (NAPCRG) over its 50-year history.

Study Design and Analysis: Social network Analysis via the Program to Analyze, Record, and Track Networks to Enhance Relationships (PARTNER) tool

Dataset: Potential participants were recruited via email and event invitations to complete a validated survey describing their participation and social connections affiliated with NAPCRG. Participants reported specific professional connections, nature/frequency of meetings, and productivity attributed to connections

Population Studied: Any individual who has been affiliated with NAPCRG over its 50-year history

Results: Of 5,905 personalized invitations, 906 individuals responded to the survey, and these participants identified an additional 815 individuals, resulting in a total sample of 1,721 total people with 5,196 partner relationships. The most common mode for engagement with NAPCRG was via the Annual Meeting. Most reported relationships (60%) were characterized as having an integrated level of collaboration. Many relationships led to a research paper (58%) or a grant (34%). About 75% of participants rated NAPCRG as successful or very successful in supporting members.

Conclusions: This social network analysis of NAPCRG members’ relationships describes over 5,000 relationships, many of which produced publications, grants, and perceived advancements in primary care. Future work will investigate key players, more detailed dyadic characteristics, and the qualitative data provided by participants.