Growing PEACHnet: Building a Practice-Based Research Network in Western Colorado

Abstract

Introduction: Practice-based research networks (PBRNs) have long sought to engage with communities and address questions relevant to multiple stakeholders and real-world primary care practice. Topicgenerating processes that involve these stakeholders are crucial for identifying these questions. PBRNs often focus on certain populations or geographic areas. We are forming a new PBRN to address the health concerns and research interests of people in communities in Western Colorado.Methods: To engage with and determine the questions important to multiple stakeholders in communities in western Colorado, we conducted community meetings at which we used Photovoice followed by Nominal Group Technique in group discussions across the region. We then conducted a survey to develop a list of priority research topics.Results: Multiple stakeholders were ready and eager to engage with us to form a PBRN. Across all communities, many of the topics that emerged were related to the social determinants of health. Mental health-specifically, lack of access to services and high suicide incidence-was the most important topic according to community members. This was consistent across groups of stakeholders and corroborated other community work such as Community Health Needs Assessments.Discussion: Using participatory methods increased our stakeholder engagement and helped build strong community-academic partnerships for our PBRN-related research. Use of Photovoice allowed all participants to express their thoughts and ideas and led to a clear path forward for this new research network.

“All of the things to everyone everywhere”: A mixed methods analysis of community perspectives on equitable access to monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19

“…A commercial transcription and translation company, Landmark Associates, performed survey translation and reviewed to confirm wording and meaning in the target language prior to use. Survey recruitment was facilitated through the collaboration of university and community team members, including: the SAP members, the University of Colorado’s Practice Innovation Program network, PEACHnet (a geographically based community and practice-based research network that collaborates with partners across the western slope of Colorado) [ 22 ], local public health agencies, and local community organizations. Survey recruitment flyers were distributed via email or in-person to over 100 community organizations, public entities such as libraries and health departments, and primary care practices or providers.…”

“All of the things to everyone everywhere”: A mixed methods analysis of community perspectives on equitable access to monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19

“…A commercial transcription and translation company, Landmark Associates, performed survey translation and reviewed to confirm wording and meaning in the target language prior to use. Survey recruitment was facilitated through the collaboration of university and community team members, including: the SAP members, the University of Colorado’s Practice Innovation Program network, PEACHnet (a geographically based community and practice-based research network that collaborates with partners across the western slope of Colorado) [21], local public health agencies, and local community organizations. Survey recruitment flyers were distributed via email or in-person to over 100 community organizations, public entities such as libraries and health departments, and primary care practices or providers.…”