Third Journal of the American Board Of Family Medicine practice-based research theme issue

This July/August 2008 issue is our third practice-based research theme issue (the first was in January 2006 and the second in March 2007) highlighting recent studies conducted in practice-based research networks (PBRNs). Our research networks are expanding and they offer more hope for getting evidence based on real-life medicine, reflecting patients in our practices rather than carefully collected subpopulations of patients from tertiary care centers. Three studies in this issue are randomized controlled trials (RCTs): 2 from Oklahoma ^{1 , 2} with positive findings, and one from Kentucky with negative results. ³ One investigation used a large database from many practices ⁴ and 5 survey studies collected key information from patients to inform our care. ^{5 – 9} Two studies provide clinical information to improve practice ^{10 , 11} and 2 from New Mexico examine physician behaviors. ^{12 , 13} A special feature is a dialogue about Institutional Review Board training from the PBRN listserv sponsored by the Agency for Health Research and Quality. ¹⁴