The Cleveland Clinic’s Department of Family Medicine has developed a Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) 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). 

Clinicians then 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 meet regularly to discuss research methods and concepts.  The intent was to conduct multiple projects chosen by the group. As the infrastructure began to take shape, so new ledership emerged by CWRU researchers and Carl Tyler, MD, MS of Fairview’s Center for Family Medicine Residency Program.

At the regular meetings the research facilitators were introduced to network concepts such as research methods, aggregate data, generalizablility, and data analysis and interpretation.  Research Facilitators also attended PBRN seminars offered by the mentors at CWRU on 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. The resulting study allowed the network to produce it's first publication.

CleAR-eN continues to flourish as it evolves and builds upon work done in the network.