Methods for Describing Practice Based Research Networks

资金被要求在科罗拉多研究网络的自愿实践和临床医生中进行1999年NAMCS的复制（本研究的第一部分）。这些信息将有助于进一步表征科罗拉多研究网络，突出患者群体的独特方面，并为未来的拨款申请提供重要的背景信息。如果只有本研究的第一部分得到资助，本调查将使用传统的论文方法进行。抽样方法将在2001年10月与其他基于实践的研究网络和AHRQ的联合会议上确定。还要求提供资金进行电子数据收集的试点试验（第二部分）。第二部分将包括设计和测试1999年NAMCS仪器的电子版本，使用Windows CE，基于笔的平板电脑。第二部分探讨了四个研究问题：(1)NAMCS是否可以可靠地由办公室工作人员、临床医生和患者使用笔式平板电脑完成？(2)使用该电子系统是否能够可靠地收集和链接患者和医务人员的匿名数据？(3)患者是否可以帮助指导使用该电子数据系统的研究数据收集过程？(4)作为AHRQ努力为PBRN研究开发标准化描述符的一部分，NAMCS中选定的变量中，患者与办公室工作人员与临床医生收集的数据的可靠性和有效性是什么？平板电脑系统，如果成功，将扩大数据收集和研究管理选项提供给pbrn。这个模型对于纵向研究可能特别有帮助，纵向研究传统上严重依赖于现场研究协调员来指导数据收集，对于多地点研究，这可能包括分布在大地理区域的实践。

Funds are requested to perform a replication of the 1999 NAMCS among willing practices and clinicians in the Colorado Research Network (Part I of this study). This information will help further characterize the Colorado Research Network, highlighting the unique aspects of the patient population and providing important background information for future grant applications. If only Part I of this study is funded, this survey will be conducted using traditional paper methods. Sampling methodology will be established at a joint conference with other practice-based research networks and AHRQ in October 2001. Funds are also requested to conduct a pilot test of electronic data collection (Part II). Part II would include the design and testing of an electronic version of the 1999 NAMCS instrument using Windows CE, pen-based tablet computers. Part II examines four research questions: (1) Can the NAMCS be reliably completed by office staff, clinicians, and patients using a pen-based tablet computer? (2) Can anonymous data from patients and medical personnel be reliably collected and linked using this electronic system? (3) Can patients help guide the process of data collection for a study using this electronic data system? (4) What is the reliability and validity of data collected by patients versus office staff versus clinicians for selected variables within NAMCS that are part of the AHRQ effort to develop standardized descriptors for PBRN research? The tablet computer system, if successful, will expand the data collection and study management options available to PBRNs. This model may be particularly helpful for longitudinal studies, which traditionally rely heavily on onsite study coordinators to guide data gathering, and for multi-site studies, which may include practices spread over large geographic areas.