While the PBRN movement in the United States goes back over 30 years, it has experienced significant growth over the past decade. ¹ The number of Primary Care PBRNs in the United States has grown substantially, from a reported 28 in 1994 ² to 111 in 2004. ³

To understand the expansion and evolution of PBRNs over the decades, it is helpful to know the history behind PBRNs, including how they were conceptualized and evolved. Larry Green and John Hickner recently wrote an article describing the history and evolution of PBRNs in the U.S. ⁴ In this article, the authors introduce the accomplishments of some of the pioneers of primary care research and explore the various mechanisms and organizations that have supported PBRNs during their development. A copy of this article is provided below in both PDF and html formats.

At the 2006 AHRQ National PBRN Research Conference, AHRQ honored three of the pioneers of the American PBRNs, Bob Haggerty of the Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS) network, Eugene Farley of the Ambulatory Sentinel Practice Network (ASPN), and John Wasson of Dartmouth COOP network. To listen to their reflections on the history and value of PBRNs, please click here. To read a transcript of the session, please click here.

To review the research accomplishments of primary care PBRNs please explore our bibliography of PBRN research.

¹ Lanier D. Primary care practice-based research comes of age in the United States. Ann Fam Med. 2005: 3 (Suppl 1): S2-S4.

² Niebauer L, Nutting PA. Primary care practice-based research networks active in North America. J Fam Pract. 1994: 38: 425-426.

³ Tierney WM, Hudson BL, Oppenheimer CC, et al. A national survey of primary care practice-based research networks. J Gen Intern Med. 2004: 19 (Suppl 1): 111.

⁴ Green LA, Hickner J. A short history of primary care practice-based research networks: From concept to essential research laboratories. JABFM. 2006: 19(1): 1-10.