Creation of practice-based research networks in rural areas in low-income countries: advantages and disadvantages
Creation of practice-based research networks in rural areas in low-income countries: advantages and disadvantages

Summary/Abstract: A Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) consists of a group of clinicians, practices or institutions that are devoted primarily to the delivery of patient care and are associated with one another in order to answer community-based health care questions and translate research findings into practice. The main goal of PBRNs is to involve busy community-based clinicians in studies conducted by investigators experienced in clinical and health service research. Doctors are drawn to take part in PBRNs in order to provide answers relevant to their practice, with the goal of improving the quality of practice and the health of theircommunity. PBRNs provide access to phenomena often neglected by researchers, but which are of great importance to those directly affected by the issues being studied. Practice-based research in family medicine is an important way to acquire new knowledge by the means andoutcomes of family medicine practice. Although Practice-Based Research Networks (PBRNs) are useful tools for conducting practice-relevant research in the busy primary care setting, their existence is threatened by a range of challenges, e.g. the limited financial support that rural areas have been receiving over the last few years, especially during this period of austerity in many countries within the European zone. Recruitment difficulties are a major impediment, fuelled by general practitioners’ time constraints, lack of remuneration, non-recognition and workforce shortages. In conclusion, despite the difficulties and challenges that PBRNs are facing, clinicians as individuals and organizations like EG PRN and EURI PA are trying to establish such types of networks, especially in low-income countries, in order to enhance the improvement and delivery of rural health care.

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