• John M Westfall, Rebecca F VanVorst, Deborah S Main, and Carol Herbert.
• University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, UCHSC at Fitzsimons, Aurora, Colo 80045-0508, USA. jack.westfall@uchsc.edu
• Ann Fam Med. 2006 Jan 1; 4 (1): 8-14.

PurposeWe wanted to describe community-based participatory research in practice-based research networks in the United States.MethodsWe surveyed all identified practice-based research networks (PBRNs) in the United States to find out whether they had a mechanism for obtaining feedback or involvement from the community of patients served by PBRN physicians. We asked open-ended questions on how they involve community members and whether they had plans for future involvement of community members and/or patients.ResultsWe received 46 completed questionnaires (71% response rate). Twenty-four reported that they have some mechanism to involve community members and/or patients in their research. No PBRN reported full participatory methods; however, several PBRNs reported active involvement by community members to generate research ideas, review research protocols, interpret results, and disseminate findings.ConclusionWhile perhaps not meeting the classical definition of CBPR, some PBRNs are involving community members and patients in their research. There is a wide spectrum of involvement by community members in PBRN research. Many PBRNs reported plans to involve community members in their research. We believe that community involvement will enhance PBRN research.

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