AMDA Foundation - Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN) Update

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Vol XIV, May `05

Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN) Update

Vol XIV, May `05

During the spring Research Network meeting, 20 members volunteered to participate in the start up of the geriatric panel of the Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN). Larry Lawhorne MD, CMD, and Cari Levy MD, CMD, have agreed to be editors for the panel. The Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN) has developed an approach for practice-based research networks like ours to develop priority questions for their research initiatives. We would solicit clinical questions from practicing physicians by e-mail, organize those questions for voting by network physicians through a simple web based “voting booth”, and then organize clinician/librarian teams to answer the questions based on a systematic review of the world literature. The FPIN experience is that approximately 20% of questions selected as “important” by a majority of voting network members can be answered with definitive patient-oriented research evidence. The remaining 80% of questions, therefore, are potential research issues for the Research Network to undertake. A second prioritization survey then is used to rank the importance and personal interest in pursuing research to address those questions.

FPIN is currently working on the question submission process and hopes to roll out the project this summer. Additional members will be added once the pilot is completed. For additional information or to volunteer, please contact Barbara Calabrese, RN, Director of Research at 410/992-3143 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .