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ABOUT PROSPROS (Pediatric Research in Office Settings) is a practice-based research network that was established by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in 1986. As of March 2005, PROS consists of 1,953 pediatric practitioners from 719 practices in 49 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, teamed with a research staff at AAP headquarters in Elk Grove Village, IL and research consultants from around the country. The network has experienced steady growth since its inception. WHAT IS THE MISSION OF PROS? The mission of PROS is to improve the health of children and enhance
primary care practice by conducting national collaborative practice-based
research. WHAT DOES PROS DO? PROS practitioners and researchers work together to generate research questions, design study materials and protocols, obtain research funding, collect study data, analyze collected data, and publish results. This collaboration is accomplished through AAP chapter-based groups of practitioners recruited and maintained by pediatrician chapter coordinators, who in turn meet twice a year with PROS research staff and consultants. WHAT HAS PROS ACCOMPLISHED? Since its inception, PROS has studied child health topics as diverse
as the prevalence of preschool vision screening (Pediatrics,
1992; 89: 834-838), the onset of secondary sexual characteristics
in young girls (Pediatrics,
1997; 99:505-512 and 2001:
108:347-353), the immunization status of children seen in private
practice (Arch
Pediatr Adolesc Med
1996; 150:1027-1031), the treatment of pediatric patients with psychosocial
problems by primary care providers (Pediatrics
electronic pages
2000: 106(4): e44), the coordination of referrals to specialists
(Arch
Pediatr Adolesc Med 2000;
154: 499-506), and the management of very young febrile infants (JAMA
2004; 291: 1203-1212). The new knowledge generated in PROS studies
has led to changes in the clinical guidelines of the AAP and other organizations.
WHAT KINDS OF STUDIES IS PROS DOING NOW? WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO JOIN? Any pediatric practice or clinic with at least one AAP member is eligible to join PROS. WHY SHOULD YOU (YOUR PRACTICE) JOIN PROS ? Perhaps you have been wondering about the usefulness of some of the routine procedures and examinations that you do in practice and whether or not they are effective. Possibly you are frustrated with groups that try to regulate the content and delivery of pediatric care without understanding what practitioners do. Maybe you would like to be part of a group of practicing pediatricians that is attempting to understand the best ways to deliver child health care. As a practitioner, you possess expertise on how a primary care practice runs and know which research questions are important for pediatric practice. By linking you with experts in study design and research methodology, PROS capitalizes on your expertise and lets you participate in generating new knowledge about pediatric practice and child health. You might even be able to see your own question develop into a project that can be researched throughout the network. PROS practitioners tell us that they enjoy being part of an overall research effort that routinely solicits their input on study questions and study designs (protocols and materials) and that examines questions relevant to the day-to-day practice of pediatrics. They also tell us that parents view research involvement on the part of the pediatric practice in a very positive light, and are eager to fill out questionnaires when they are a part of a study. Participating practitioners get preliminary reports of research results as soon as they are available and review manuscripts before they are submitted for publication. All participating practices are acknowledged at the end of published articles. WHAT IS REQUIRED AND HOW MUCH TIME DOES IT TAKE?
HOW CAN YOUR PRACTICE JOIN? A PROS pediatrician in each participating AAP chapter serves as a PROS Chapter Coordinator. Your coordinator can arrange for you to receive the materials that allow you to join. All you and your colleagues initially need to do is to complete the enrollment questionnaires and send them back to the PROS research staff at the Academy (see How To Join PROS for more details). You will receive a variety of materials about upcoming PROS studies and a semi-annual newsletter. Your coordinator will meet with other PROS coordinators and the PROS research staff twice a year to relay your feedback to the rest of PROS, get feedback on projects in progress, and work on new study proposals. As new projects are readied for implementation, your coordinator will approach you about participating. For information about how to join the network or to update your information if you are a current member, please send an e-mail to: PROS Assistant, Division of Primary Care Research at JOINPROS@aap.org. For general information about the PROS network or any PROS research study, please send an e-mail to: Director, Division of Primary Care Research at pros@aap.org. Core activities of the PROS network are made possible by a grant from the Federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Project specific activities of the PROS network have been made possible by funding from the following sources:
About PROS | Study
Updates | Join PROS | Network
News Excerpts
Pediatric Research in Office Settings (PROS)
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