Cleveland Clinic Ambulatory Research Network (CleAR-eN)
Who are we?
Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Family Medicine has developed a Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) made up of area family physicians operating in six Family Health Centers. Inspired by Vance Brown, former Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, the Cleveland Clinic Ambulatory Research Network (CleAR-eN) was established two years ago under grant funding from the Heath Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). It all happened rather serendipitously as clinicians came together to develop a research infrastructure within the Clinic’s Department of Family Medicine. Led by Steve Zyzanski, PhD of Case Western Reserve University the research facilitators met once a month to discuss research methods and concepts. The intent was to conduct multiple projects at one time which were to be chosen by the group. Soon, as the infrastructure began to take shape, so did a Practice-Based Research Network guided by CWRU researchers and Carl Tyler, MD, MS of Fairview’s Center for Family Medicine Residency Program.
At monthly meetings the research facilitators were introduced to network concepts such as, research methods, aggregate data, generalizability, and data analysis and interpretation. Research Facilitators also attended a PBRN seminar offered by the mentors at CWRU who presented current literature, a panel of highly acclaimed PBRN researchers from various parts of the country, as well as opportunity for discussion and feedback. Once a knowledge base in PBRN methods had been established, the group participated in a study for asthmatic patients. Soon after, the group collaborated on the importance of calcium intake and wanted to determine if their patients were meeting guidelines. In doing so, the CleAR-eN network was established and their work continues to flourish as they evolve as individual as well as team PBRN researchers.
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