RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Card Studies for Observational Research in Practice
JF The Annals of Family Medicine
JO Ann Fam Med
FD American Academy of Family Physicians
SP 63
OP 68
DO 10.1370/afm.1199
VO 9
IS 1
A1 John M. Westfall
A1 Linda Zittleman
A1 Elizabeth W. Staton
A1 Bennett Parnes
A1 Peter C. Smith
A1 Linda J. Niebauer
A1 Douglas H. Fernald
A1 Javan Quintela
A1 Rebecca F. Van Vorst
A1 L. Miriam Dickinson
A1 Wilson D. Pace
YR 2011
UL http://www.annfammed.org/content/9/1/63.abstract
AB PURPOSE Observational studies that collect patient-level survey data at the point-of-care are often called card studies. Card studies have been used to describe clinical problems, management, and outcomes in primary care for more than 30 years. In this article we describe 2 types of card studies and the methods for conducting them. METHODS We undertook a descriptive review of card studies conducted in 3 Colorado practice-based research networks and several other networks throughout the United States. We summarized experiences of the State Networks of Colorado Ambulatory Practices and Partners (SNOCAP). RESULTS Card studies can be designed to study specific conditions or care (clinicians complete a card when they encounter patients who meet inclusion criteria) and to determine trends and prevalence of conditions (clinicians complete a card on all patients seen during a period). Data can be collected from clinicians and patients and can be linked. CONCLUSIONS Card studies provide cross-sectional descriptive data about clinical care, knowledge and behavior, perception of care, and prevalence of conditions. Card studies remain a robust method for describing primary care.