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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Jolene Chou, MPH, Steven M. Lascher, DVM, MPH, and Christel Mottur-Pilson, PhD. Education/Scientific Policy, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1572, 215-351-2603, jchou@mail.acponline.org
BACKGROUND: QNet is the practice-based research network at the American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine. It was initiated in 1997 as a way to disseminate best practice information and to assess how closely physicians followed current clinical practice guidelines using chart audit-and-feedback approach. Five QNet studies on common chronic conditions were conducted in 2000. One hundred and thirty-seven physicians completed one or more studies based on 4122 patient encounters. An evaluation study followed to assess various aspects of the network and the modules. This paper discusses the results from this evaluation study. METHODS: Questionnaires were mailed to both physicians who completed the studies and those who signed up but later withdrew. RESULTS: The response rate was 53% (72/137) for the participants and 39% (104/266) for non-participants. Over half of the participants considered QNet very effective for validating current practice (67%), understanding practice patterns (63%), and improving patient care (51%). QNet helped influence the attitude towards practice-based research in more than half of the participants. Eighty-five percent of participants and 73% of non-participants expressed interest in participating in future QNet studies. CONCLUSIONS: The importance of practice-based research was widely recognized, although the lack of time appeared to be the major obstacle. Our results suggest that better integration of study instrument into office operation is key to successful implementation of practice-based research.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment