Current Research Projects of the PBRN Program

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Public Health Practice-Based Research Networks Program supports research on the organization, financing, and delivery of public health services using the infrastructure of practice-based networks (PBRNs). A Public Health PBRN brings multiple public health agencies into collaboration with an academic research partner to design and conduct studies in real-world practice settings. The program supports research through several different mechanisms, including (1) large-scale Research Implementation Awards (RIAs) conducted by established networks; (2) Quick-Strike Research Fund (QSRF) awards that support short-term, time-sensitive studies on emerging issues; and (3) supplemental Research Acceleration and Capacity Expansion (RACE) awards designed to expand the scope and enhance the tempo of ongoing research within the PBRN. The Public Health PBRN National Coordinating Center coordinates the development individual and multi-network studies supported by grants from various sources. This brief provides a summary of research projects underway and under development within the public health PBRNs.
Right click the icon at the right to download a copy of the report.

Quick Strike Research Funds
During a conference call held on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, several PBRNs provided resarch project updates on the use of Quick Strike Research Funds.The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the PBRN Public Health National Coordinating Center awarded Quick Strike Research Funds to Kentucky and North Carolina PBRNs to support research activities around the public health system response to H1N1. Additionally, the Colorado, Washington and Massachusetts PBRNs are pursuing research on H1N1 planning and response activities based on interests and information needs identified within their networks.
Right click the icon at the right to download a copy of the report.  

North Carolina PBRN Efforts
Recently, the PBRN has been gathering information related to the H1N1 flu and vaccine.  The North Carolina Division of Public Health and the Orange / Alamance County Health Department has prepared a brief community survey for researchers to use when gathering information about the year’s pandemic influenza vaccine, as well as the regular seasonal vaccine. This information will help health officials plan for H1N1 swine flu vaccination.

Users can download the questionnaire below by righ-clicking the icon:

English         Spanish 

Washington State PBRN Efforts
The Seattle‐King County Public Health Department also used a H1N1 Preparedness Planning and Implementation Survey. The department are worked with the Practice Based Research Network and DOH to gather information from LHJs about their H1N1 preparedness activities for this flu season.  A copy of the survey and the Real Time Assessment of H1N1 Mass Vaccination Planning and Implementation Proposal can be downloaded below.

Survey            Proposal  

Massachusetts PBRN H1N1 Survey

The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is committed to delivering high quality, responsive public health services to the diverse populations that make up the City of Boston. The Commission’s Consortium for Professional Development is dedicated to educating, training and inspiring Boston’s public, private and non-profit public health workforce to protect, promote, and preserve the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly the most vulnerable. A significant focus of this mission is developing the professional skills of Commission staff.

As part of its initial planning process, the Consortium has commissioned an independent study of the strengths and gaps in skills and capacities among the BPHC workforce. Dr. Justeen Hyde from the Institute for Community Health is partnering with the Consortium, Boston University School of Public Health, and the New England Alliance for Public Health Workforce Development to identify and prioritize training and other professional development needs that are both unique to each Bureau, Branch or Department and cross-cutting across BPHC.  Download a copy of the survey below.

Survey