Article Figures & Data
Tables
Network Our Taxonomy of Network Leadership SDO Taxonomy of Network Structure Warwick Analysis of Main Network Aims SDO = the UK Service Development and Organisation. A (Not recognized in taxonomy) Enclave: has a flat internal structure with no central authority; based on shared commitment Mobilization: aims to mobilize local practitioners for research B Top down: led by a university–health care organization alliance Hierarchical: has an organizational core and authority to regulate the work of members Facilitative: aims to facilitate local participation in academic-led research C Bottom up: led by 7 research general practices Individualistic: has a loose association of affiliates developed by an individual or organization Consolidation: aims to consolidate the competencies of practices D Whole system: led by different groups that influenced policy through a cycle of ongoing strategic review (Not recognized in taxonomy) Transformational: aims to change relationships throughout the whole system
Additional Files
Supplemental Appendix
Supplemental Appendix. Context and Comparative Data for Networks A, B, C, and D
Files in this Data Supplement:
- Supplemental data: Appendix - PDF file, 2 pages, 112 KB
The Article in Brief
How Primary Care Networks Can Help Integrate Academic and Service Initiatives in Primary Care
Paul Thomas, MD, FRCGP, and colleagues
Background Primary care research networks (PCRNs) are groups of primary care medical practices in the United Kingdom that promote and facilitate research in clinical practice. This study looked at the performance of four PCRNs in order to draw lessons about ideal ways to organize PCRNs.
What This Study Found The ways in which PCRNs organize themselves is influenced by the circumstances in which they are formed. Different types of PCRN organization are associated with different results. A PCRN that uses a "top down, hierarchical" approach, based on relationships with other institutions and university expertise, attracts more research funding and has the highest percentage of local participation among the networks studied. A "bottom up, individualistic" network, which centers its authority in its steering group, has a strong focus on medical practice and the highest number of projects that only involve general practices. A "whole system" PCRN has little primary care collaboration but has the most partnerships between general practices and other organizations.
Implications
- By encouraging shared leadership of projects, networks can help integrate research and development initiatives.
- Networks can gain funding and stability through strategic alliances with other institutions.
- Local medical practices have the potential to be centers of research activity in which multidisciplinary teams reflect on concerns that relate to primary care practice.
- A whole system approach, which brings together participants from throughout the system, may offer a way for PCRNs to address participants' varied interests.
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