We want to share a quick update on select programs, activities, and successes of the Research Institute (RI). We also invite you to visit our Web site to read the overview of the RI’s new strategic plan (www.accpri.org/about/plan.aspx). Thank you for supporting the ACCP RI.

Who Joins the ACCP PBRN?

Do you routinely provide direct patient care? Do you frequently ponder an “I wonder” clinical question? Would you like to participate in collaborative clinical research? The ACCP Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) may be the perfect solution. The PBRN is an ever-growing group of clinical pharmacists from all 50 states who practice in a variety of settings. The PBRN affords clinicians the ability to conveniently and expeditiously pool patient care experiences into large-enough sample sizes to answer important clinical questions.

The ACCP PBRN has continued to grow since its launch in February 2009. We have more than 800 members to date, including members who belong to existing PRNs and whose data are shown below. We encourage each of you to join!

* 3/05/2014

How Do I Join the ACCP PBRN?

Joining the ACCP PBRN is free to all ACCP members. You can join the PBRN as an individual or as part of an existing network by completing our online registry at www.accpri.org/pbrn/registration.aspx. We invite you to browse our “Now Recruiting” and “Ongoing” studies by visiting our Web site (www.accpri.org/pbrn/researchProjects.aspx) or share your idea for a potential PBRN study at any time (www.accpri.org/pbrn/StudySuggest.aspx). You can also sign up to receive e-mail notifications about future studies.

Calling All Researchers!

The ACCP PBRN is interested in establishing collaborative research efforts with both the ACCP PBRN and other external investigators. If you have a funded project or are applying for funding and are interested in collaborating with the ACCP PBRN, we invite you to complete our Project Concept Description Template at www.accpri.org/pbrn/partner.aspx. Please contact PBRN staff with any questions, or for assistance with developing a clinical question into a PBRN study, at (913) 492-3311 or [email protected].

From the Desk of the ACCP PBRN Network Director:
An Update on Research Initiatives Within the PBRN

Since our update last fall, the PBRN has continued to move forward on several important initiatives. Two of these initiatives are described below.

We will be recruiting sites in the next few months for two funded studies that will be using the PBRN. The first is a noninterventional study evaluating the challenges and attitudinal barriers to adopting immunization recommendations in U.S. health systems. In 2012, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) for adults 19 years and older with immunocompromising conditions. However, guideline implementation at the patient care level requires a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to recognize and overcome operational barriers in order to ensure success. In addition, there is considerable competition for the limited resources required to implement guidelines at the institutional or health-system level. Using a comprehensive questionnaire, this study seeks to identify challenges and barriers to implementing or updating the guidelines using the ACIP pneumococcal immunization recommendations as a model.

The second study seeks to identify prescriber perceptions of, attitudes about, and preferences for various factors important in the choice of antipsychotic therapy. The primary aim of this study is to determine how clinicians’ (psychiatrists and pharmacists) beliefs and attitudes affect the choice of atypical antipsychotic agents in the therapy for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Although we have a relatively good understanding of the effectiveness and safety of many newer antipsychotic medications, no studies have been conducted in the United States to evaluate factors affecting prescriber selection of these medications, perception of effectiveness and safety, or preferences for selecting therapy since newer antipsychotic agents have become available.

We will be conducting feasibility assessments and recruiting for both studies in the near future. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining the PBRN and participating in one of these studies. For more information about these studies or on how you can get involved with PBRN projects, please contact us by e-mail ([email protected]) or telephone (913) 492-3311.

Daniel Touchette, Pharm.D., M.A.
Network Director, ACCP PBRN

2014 FIT Program Applications Now Open

The Research Institute will host its sixth Focused Investigator Training (FIT) Program this summer at the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, in Athens, Georgia, from July 10 to 14, 2014. This year’s FIT Program faculty mentor team already includes John Cleary, Jennifer Cocohoba, Vicki Ellingrod, Mary Ensom, Susan Fagan, Karen Farris, Reggie Frye, Grace Kuo, Jeannine McCune, Robbie Parker, and Lynda Welage.

Scholarships available for 2014:

• Critical Care PRN: 2 full-tuition scholarships
• Infectious Diseases PRN: 2 full-tuition scholarships
• Adult Medicine PRN: 1 full-tuition scholarship
• Ambulatory Care PRN: 1 full-tuition scholarship or 2 half-tuition scholarships
• Hematology/Oncology PRN: 1 full-tuition scholarship
• Immunology/Transplantation PRN: 1 full-tuition scholarship
• Education and Training PRN: 1 half-tuition scholarship
• The Research Institute: 1 full-tuition scholarship for a PBRN-based project

The 2014 FIT informational brochure, FAQs, and application are available at www.accpri.org/fit/. There is still time to submit your application by the March 31, 2014, deadline.