Discover CenTexNet

The research network for Central Texas family physicians

By Gil C. Grimes, M.D.

The Central Texas Primary Care Research Network, or CenTexNet, is a fast-growing primary care practice-based research network that was formed in 2002 with infrastructure development funds from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Based in Scott & White in Temple’s Department of Family Medicine, and within the Texas A&M College of Medicine, CenTexNet is a large, diverse network that includes some 78 clinicians and a patient population served by 28 practices, which are located in both rural and suburban areas. In addition, the network has a close working relationship with 52 additional practicing family physicians through affiliation with Scott & White, which operates 12 primary care clinics in Central Texas. CenTexNet is registered with both the PBRN Resource Center and the Inventory and Evaluation of Clinical Research Networks.

CenTexNet was formed with a mission “to bring researchers and practitioners of primary care in Central Texas together to conduct research in primary care settings that will generate results for improved patient care, patient satisfaction, disease prevention and safety promotion as well as translate relevant research findings into policy and practice.” Since its founding, CenTexNet has made significant strides in accomplishing its research and development goals due to the sound financial and administrative structure afforded by its supportive parent organization, Scott & White, and the research and methodological expertise of its founding director, Samuel N. Forjuoh, M.D., M.P.H., Dr.PH. This process has been catalyzed by the availability of a highly qualified and dedicated group of researchers, along with focused research themes. In particular, the opportunity and ability of clinicians to collaborate with researchers who are experts in their respective fields from the Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health, which is the only public health school in the nation focused on rural health, is one of the major strengths of CenTexNet.

The network is governed by an Executive Committee, an Internal Advisory Committee that includes three community representatives, and two external consultants. Current research activities focus on:

• Applying health information technology to enhance physician-patient communication and disease management;
• Enhancing patient safety and reducing medical errors;
• Promoting preventive health services and health behavior change;
• Making innovations in medical student and resident education; and
• Promoting injury prevention and safety.

Although CenTexNet is less than five years old, the lead agency in this formation, the Division of Research in the Department of Family Medicine that was established in 1999 and forms the core of CenTexNet, has a modest track record of research accomplishment, information dissemination, and translation of research into policy and practice. At its inception, CenTexNet took over all research projects initiated by DORFAM, including secondary analysis of several databases. Between 1999 and 2002, a total of 17 projects were completed by DORFAM with funding from both intramural and extramural sources. The intramural sources included the Scott & White Institutional Research Fund and the Health Services Research Program, which is a collaborative funding mechanism between Scott & White and the School of Rural Public Health. The extramural sources included HRSA, Merck & Co., Texas Department of Transportation, and AHRQ.

CenTexNet has completed several research projects that involved primary data collection or use of administrative data. One of these studies titled, “Miscommunication as a Cause of Medication Errors in Elderly Ambulatory Patients: A Safety Collaborative in the Out Patient Environment (SCOPE) Project” sought to determine the prevalence, types and severity of miscommunication-related medication errors in elderly ambulatory patients and to evaluate the impact of notifying patients’ physicians about these errors. A manuscript based on findings from this study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Additionally, abstract presentations were shared at the AAFP Research Convocation and at NAPCRG, and an invited presentation was made at the 7th Annual National Patient Safety Congress.

CenTexNet has also put in place multiple systems of communication with its members and participating practices, including assisting with the publication of the departmental quarterly newsletter Family Matters, e-mail, listserv, conference calls, and annual research retreats. In addition, the network has a Web site, http://dorfam.sw.org, within DORFAM that is updated on a regular basis with links to the department and the Texas A&M University System. The annual research retreats are organized to offer continuing medical education to network members, brainstorm research ideas and share the results of pertinent research findings. Nationally recognized persons are also invited to speak on topical issues of relevance to our research goals at these retreats. For more information about CenTexNet, please visit our Web site or contact the network coordinator, Susan Molonket-Lanning, at (254) 724-9981 or smolonketlanning@swmail.sw.org.