Transcript School of Medicine

STAR Net
South Texas Ambulatory Research
Network
Michael Parchman, MD, MPH
Walter Calmbach, MD, MPH
Marisa Rodriguez, BS
UT Health Science Center at San Antonio
What is a Practice-Based
Research Network?
An organization
of community
clinicians who
work together
with researchers
to answer
meaningful
questions that
will improve
patient care
Why is Practice-Based Research Needed?
1000 persons
800 report symptoms
327 consider seeking medical care
217 visit a physician’s office (113
visit a primary care physician’s
office) PBRN Research
65 visit a complementary or
alternative provider
21 visit a hospital outpatient clinic
14 receive home health care
13 visit an emergency dept
8 are hospitalized
<1 is hospitalized in an academic
medical center Most Research
Results of a reanalysis of the monthly prevalence of illness in the community and the roles of
various sources of health care. Green LA et al., N Engl J Med 2001, 344:2021-2024.
STARNet Leadership
Board of Directors
Carlos Campos, MD
Leo Cigarroa, MD
Mitch Finnie, MD
Abel Muñoz, MD
Soloman Paley, MD
Ramon Reyes, MD
Lloyd Van Winkle, MD
Walter Calmbach, MD, Michael Parchman, MD and Marisa Rodriguez
The South Texas Ambulatory
Research Network (STARNet)
• MISSION:
– to create and disseminate new knowledge for community
primary care physicians that will improve the health of our
patients here in South Texas
• OBJECTIVES:
– conduct studies and projects in the clinics and
communities of STARNet members
– link community primary care clinics to resources
– create a community of learning among STARNet members
and their communities in South Texas
STAR Net
Where are PBRNs in the
Research “Pipeline?”
The Academic Health Science Center:
“T2”
“T1”
Bench
Bedside
Community
Bookshelf
“If we want
more evidencebased practice,
we need more
practice-based
evidence.”
•
Green LW and R. Glasgow, 2006
Examples of STARNet Studies:
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Exercise in the Elderly
Panic Disorder in Patients Presenting with Chest Pain
Patient Preference for Discussion of Family Conflict/Violence
Quality and Outcomes of Diabetes Care in Primary Care
Settings
Improving Risk Factors for Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
in Primary Care (current)
History and Physical Findings of Patients with MRSA Skin
Infections in South Texas (current)
Using interactive multimedia to promote colorectal cancer
screening (current)
Patient Safety survey (current)
Electronic primary care research network (current)
Aspirin in reducing events in the elderly (current)
COLLABORATION IS KEY!
Identify knowledge gap
Systematic search for
Implement in
practice
adequate answer
Serious input
from clinicians
and office staff
Generate and
clarify study
Analyze and
interpret results
question
Collect data
Design Study
Ramon Reyes, MD
Helotes, TX
"I have had only positive comments from patients
who are usually excited and pleased to be able to
be a part of the studies. Patients don't just
cooperate, they are enthusiastic participants.
Many of our patients are impressed that their
doctor's office is involved in medical research and
that they can share in that.”
Able Munoz, MD
Austin, TX
"The projects are interesting and designed
to be an asset to the daily practice
function. The studies have never been a
problem; in fact, they do, on occasion, give
rise to questions from patients that lead to
important doctor-patient interactions. “
Lloyd Van Winkle, MD
Castroville, TX
"STARNet is a part of my practice where everyone wins,
the patient, the practice, and the specialty of Family
Practice. I believe much of the future evidence
establishing the value of primary care, in general, and
family practice, specifically, will grow out of office-based
medical research. So being involved in STARNet is my
way of helping to insure a future that includes
healthy patients, healthy practices, and a healthy
future for family medicine.”
What do I need to do to join the
network?
How can I join a research project?