About Us

What is SPUR-Net?

SPUR-Net is a practice-based research network composed of five primary care organizations in the Houston metropolitan area.

SPUR-Net is directed by an executive committee composed of representatives from each of the constituent health-care organizations and is supported by funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Where is SPUR-Net?

What is the purpose of SPUR-Net?

SPUR-Net's mission is to improve the quality of health care in primary care settings. Clinician-members of SPUR-Net's constituent organizations engage in research projects that seek to identify and solve problems commonly encountered in their practices. SPUR-Net provides the research infrastructure and methodological expertise needed to complete the projects. The projects are designed to maximize the gathering of data, to minimize additional paperwork, and to avoid disruption of patient services in the clinics.

What are the goals of SPUR-Net?

Through its various research projects, SPUR-Net strives to enhance the professional and academic vitality of primary care practices. Methods for gathering and accumulating research data between several clinic sites are being developed, and means for most effectively completing short-cycle research projects are being explored. Meaningful research results will be disseminated to participating clinicians as rapidly as possible and will be published in appropriate medical journals.

What does SPUR-Net require of its members?

Clinician-members of SPUR-Net must be willing to participate fully in one to two research projects per year. They also must help complete an annual survey — the National Ambulatory Medical Survey (NAMCS) — that describes their practices and their patients. Members are encouraged to offer suggestions for new research projects and for ways to improve the operations of SPUR-Net.

How do members propose a research project?

Members who wish to propose a research project can contact:

Convocation

2nd Convocation of SPUR-Net Providers' Research Conference (2006)

  • Medication Safety in Primary Care Clinics
  • The Educational Impact of Multi-Site Continuity Clinics Within a Family medicine Residency Program
  • Compliance with ATP-III Lipid Management Guidelines
  • Physician Uncertainty Reduction for Hypertension Control
  • Occupational Medicine Training Among Family Medicine Residency Programs in the USA as of 2005
  • The Evolution of Goal-Negotiated Care
  • Clinician's Perspective on Participation in Practice-Based Research

1st Convocation of SPUR-Net Providers' Research Conference (2003)

  • The History of Practice-Based Research Networks and SPUR-Net
  • Microalbumin Screening in Diabetes Mellitus
  • Results of the PRINS Study
  • Diabetes Outcome Study
  • Herbal Use Survey-Dr. Kuo (EB)