:: Federated Networks
A federated network is a collection of databases that reside in multiple member practices and that are linked through a secure Web-based system so they can be searched and queried as one large database while maintaining privacy and confidentiality of patient data.
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Research / Datasets
DARTNet has conducted a set of studies including observational studies and interventional studies using available electronic data, clinical decision support systems, and feedback activities. Topics included the comparative effectiveness and safety of oral medications for patients with type 2 diabetes, interventions for treating community-acquired MRSA infections, the comparative effectiveness and safety of therapies for major depression, and analyses of medications used for treating hyperglycemia over time related to patient characteristics.
DARTNet is currently assisting in interventional studies related to the treatment of chronic kidney disease, improved blood pressure control, and improved adult immunizations. Ongoing observational studies include analyses of treatment for acute pain in primary care and social network analyses of new medication diffusion.
Read more about our research projects or publications.
Datasets and Data Extraction
Most projects result in a dataset that is available for additional research. These datasets are available as both de-identified dataset or for query.
Read more about some of the available datasets. See our information about purchasing datasets.
DARTNet is a federated network of electronic health record data and other clinical information from multiple organizations across the United States. We use three models of data extraction, transformation, and linkage.
Read more about data extraction.
Toolkit for Multisite Clinical Trials in PBRNs
Interested in conducting a clinical trial in a primary care practice-based research network (PBRN)? PBRNs are ideal settings for clinical trials, especially pragmatic clinical trials. Members of the DARTNet Institute (DI) Research Steering Committee and the Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) Community Engagement PBRN workgroup have created a new clinical research resource that offers guidance to researchers and PBRN personnel as they collaborate on developing and conducting pragmatic clinical trials in PBRNs. The Toolkit for Developing and Conducting Multisite Clinical Trials in Practice Based Research Networks provides critical information on recruiting and engaging practices, budgeting, project management, and communication, as well as templates and examples of tools important to clinical trial development and conduct.
DI and SAFTINet Leaders Share Their Knowledge for Report on Studying Small Populations with Electronic Databases
The "Feasibility of Using Electronic Health Data for Research on Small Populations" report addressed the challenges and limitations of using existing federal surveys and federal claims databases for studying small populations. The report provides a background for exploring the potential of the increasingly available EHR data to complement federal data sources, and concludes with potential next steps to demonstrate and improve the feasibility of using EHRs for research on small populations.
DI CMO Dr. Wilson Pace served on the Technical Assistance Panel, and he and Drs. David West and Lisa Schilling were interviewed as part of the background work. See the Feasibility of Using Electronic Health Data for Research on Small Populations report for more information.
Webinar on Using Electronic Health Records for Research
DARTNet Institute CMO Dr. Wilson Pace presented an EnRICH Series
webinar with Dr. Richard "Mort" Wasserman and Dr. Alex Fiks, both of
the Pediatric in Research Settings (PROS) network, on February 17,
2015. The webinar, "Using
Electronic Health Records for Health Services Research," is part
of the
EnRICH seminar series is hosted by the Maternal and Child Health
Research Program, Division of Research, Office of Epidemiology and
Research, Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources
and Services Administration (HRSA).
Drs. Pace and Wasserman presented a similar webinar on December 6, 2012.