Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Each PBRN network is expected to have a state or regional focus. Collectively, the supported PBRN networks will span multiple geographic areas within the U.S. and therefore will be national in scope. Each network will pursue individual research projects within their specific geographic area, but the networks will also collaborate on multi-site research projects that are national in scope.

Will this project include the health department, schools of public health and other organizations?

Yes, networks will be comprised of state and local health departments, schools of public health or other academic/research partners, and potentially other community partners engaged in public health practice.

Will other networks be able to assist you with this initiative?

Yes we envision that existing practice-based research networks—such as primary care PBRNs or dental PBRNs—may eventually serve as partners and collaborators with public health PBRNs in the conduct of mutual studies of interest. We also have taken steps to learn from these existing networks the strategies that have proven successful in organizing and maintaining practice-based research initiatives.

Describe what these networks will encompass. Are you thinking of these being based in a state health department or around multiple state health departments?

PBRN networks will be comprised of one or more state health agencies working with local public health agencies and other partners in a defined geographic region.

Who are your constituents?

We see our laboratory as being the community of state and local health department leaders and practitioners who have a desire to engage in practice based research in order to improve the delivery of public health services. Participation in such research will not be for everyone, but the findings from such research should have broad applicability within the public health system.

Will Public Health PBRNs conduct research and practice in collaboration with clinical care practitioners?

We anticipate that Public Health PBRNs will conduct research on a wide range of issues affecting public health practice, some of which will likely involve the interface with clinical care delivery. Examples may include emergency preparedness, coordinated delivery of preventive services, communicable disease control, and health care workforce development.

Do you intend to focus on health promotion or on a full spectrum of public health issues?

Ideally PBRNs will develop the capacity to conduct research on a full spectrum of public health issues—particularly cross-cutting issues that arise in delivering multiple types of categorical public health programs and services. These cross-cutting issues involve, for example, organizational issues, workforce development and staffing, public health financing and economics, information systems, public health law and policy, and quality improvement methodologies. Individual PBRNs are likely to focus on a narrower range of topics initially that are seen as feasible and highly salient to network members.

Is your project the 1st of its kind in public health?

Yes, we are not aware of any existing PBRN initiatives that focus primarily on issues of practice confronted by public health agencies. However, there are existing research initiatives that involve public health agencies at some level—including selected primary care PBRNs around the country and the network of Prevention Research Centers (PRCs) supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We anticipate that some of these existing initiatives will serve as useful platforms for launching public health PBRNs, and others may offer valuable lessons for engaging public health agencies in research. But public health PBRNs will not duplicate the clinical research conducted by primary care PBRNs nor the rigorous intervention research conducted by PRCs.