Definitions

Q1: What is the definition of a primary care practice-based research network (PBRN)? OR

Q2: Is a primary care research network the same as a practice-based research network?

A: A primary care practice-based research network (PBRN) is a group of practices devoted principally to the primary care of patients, but also committed to studying and improving primary care. These practices are affiliated with each other (and often with academic or professional organizations) to investigate the phenomena of clinical practice as it occurs in communities. Such networks are characterized by an organizational structure that transcends one single study, enduring through time to address multiple or recurrent questions. These networks are broadly representative of community-based practice and are capable of identifying important questions and opportunities and investigating what actually happens in frontline practice. There are PBRNs that are not focused on primary care. Recommended literature about the purpose, infrastructure, and methods of PBRNs can be found under Other Resources.

Q3: What is the definition of primary care practice?

A: Primary care is the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community. Primary care practice is focused on achieving this function. For purposes of this program, primary care practices are likely to be populated with general pediatricians, general internists, family physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants. Primary care practices may have members from other fields and disciplines such as physical therapy, pharmacology, psychology, social services, and mental health.

Q4: What is an "established" PBRN?

A: An established PBRN is a network that has a sufficient number of practices, adequate structure, research and methodological expertise already in place such that the network can formulate and answer questions using appropriate scientific methods.

Q5: How do you define sedentary lifestyle?

A: Sedentary lifestyle refers to people who do not engage in:

• moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/American College of Sports Medicine)
  

or

• vigorous-intensity physical activity 3 or more days of the week for 20 or more minutes (Healthy People 2010)
  

These guidelines are for adults, similar guidelines are available for adolescents, school children, and older adults.

Q6: How do you define unhealthy diet?

A: The recommendations for a healthy diet according to the USDA’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans are 3 to 5 daily servings of vegetables and vegetable juices, 2 to 4 daily servings of fruits and fruit juices, and 6 to 11 daily servings of grain products, depending on caloric needs. In addition, they recommend a diet that contains less than 10% of calories from saturated fat, no more than 30% of calories from total fat, and limited consumption of trans fatty acids. Similar guidelines are available for young children.

Q7: How do you define tobacco use?

A: Tobacco use is defined as use of cigarettes as well as other forms of tobacco that cause tobacco dependence.

Q8: How do you define risky drinking?

A: Risky drinking is defined as greater than 9 drinks per week for women; and greater than 14 drinks per week for men, and no evidence of dependence (US Preventative Services Task Force).

Q9: What will be considered an "innovation"?

A: We expect applicants to be creative and tell us through their proposal what they consider innovative in their settings and why. An innovation would be important if it improves the delivery, feasibility, and/or reach of health behavior change interventions in routine primarycare practice. These innovations should be grounded on existing evidence related to the proposed strategy.

Q10: What is technical assistance?

A: Technical assistance is support and consultation through access to information, consultants, national experts, and others to achieve the intended project outcomes.

Q11: Who will be considered a "partner"?

A: This depends on the strategy selected for development and testing. Partners might include individuals with particular expertise, volunteer organizations, community-based service agencies, health care organizations, schools, employers, insurance programs, public health departments, small businesses, radio and TV stations, web based enterprises, and others that PBRNs recognize as positioned to help.