The Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) Resource Center serves as the operational base for developing new and supporting existing PBRNs in the South Texas region. The primary function of the PBRN Resource Center is to facilitate opportunities for collaboration between Health Science Center investigators and community clinicians to utilize the PBRN as their real world laboratory and to engage community clinicians in practice-based research. To accelerate the translation of clinical research into practice, new partnerships with clinicians who deliver the majority of care to the US population need to be supported. We are dedicated to transforming existing academic-community clinician relationships.
Brief History
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio received a Clinical Translational Science Award in May, 2008. The CTSA included funds to create a PBRN Resource Center directed by Dr. Sandra Burge. STARNET (South Texas Ambulatory Research Network) and RRNET (Residency Research Network) have more than 25 years of combined experience in PBRN research, and have served as models for the development of new UTHSCSA PBRNs in psychiatry, dentistry, and nursing. The PBRN Resource Center is flourishing, and has become a key link in the CTSA efforts for “Community Engagement”, building T2 translational research in South Texas.
Christopher Frei, PhD, MSC