The Statewide Primary Care Ambulatory Research and Resourse Consortium is the research network of the Texas Academy of Family Physicians. The network is composed of family physicians throughout Texas who share an interest in practiced-based research.
Practice-based research is geared toward investigating health related questions as they apply to community-based populations in the primary care setting. The primary goal of practice-based research is to provide an accurate picture of illness and healthcare in the community.
Practice-based research allows practicing physicians to gather information from a sampling of their patient base and compile the findings into a larger study to benefit the medical community and its quest to develop the highest-quality health care for the patients. Practice-based research involves the collaboration of a Primary Care Practice Based Research Network (PBRN), generally comprised of several practices that are working together, to study issues of importance to primary care practice.
Practice-based research is particularly important for family physicians as more people interact with outpatient general practices in the U.S. health care system than any other specialty. By studying common health care issues such as asthma, diabetes, back pain, headache and the common cold, primary care physicians examine the structure, processes and outcomes of primary medical care. Eventually, this important research will improve the quality of health care in general practices and help prevent avoidable hospitalizations.
Membership is open to any practicing Texas family physician, regardless of TAFP membership. Participation in SPARRC is voluntary and free of cost to the physician. TAFP members/volunteer physicians can opt in or out of each study depending upon availability.