Explore UAB

Many providers report that they enjoy the intellectual stimulation and challenge that comes from approaching problems a different way or having the opportunity to examine data about patients and treatment processes. They also derive satisfaction from being able to offer patients adjuncts or alternatives to conventional treatments – for example, support for chronic disease self-management – that they wouldn’t otherwise have the time or resources to provide or make available.  

  • What's in it for me?
    • First and foremost, a platform for you to voice and explore ideas and topics of concern for your practice.

    • Potential for positive change via practice based research efforts related to practice specific ideas and topics.

    • Change which benefits the specific practice and patient population.

    • CME through the UAB Division of CMEAAFP * and AHRQ **

    • Incentives and/or monetary reimbursement.

    • Opportunities for practice staff to expand their skill set and work experience.

    • Interaction / exchange of ideas and information with other physician and researchers.

    • Opportunities to inform primary care issues on the national level.

    • Recognition through peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

    • Free literature searches (contact the Coordinating Center for details).

    • Educational opportunities for medical students and residents, by working with physician and academic preceptors to conduct practice-based research.

    * AAFP members can earn free CME credits for participating in research and related activities: up to 10 per calendar year for direct participation, plus additional enrichment credits for things like online IRB training (4 credits). AAFP credits also count toward maintaining your Alabama medical licensure. Since 2002, over 1,000 research and enrichments credits have been earned by APBRN / AAFP members. 

    ** Click here for free, CME-earning National Webinars.

  • The APBRN advocates for fair compensation for time and effort devoted to research.

    In addition to honoraria, CME / CEU credits are often available to providers through their professional organizations. Depending on topic and scope, we may also work with the UAB Division of CME to obtain accreditation for certain activities. For extramurally funded projects, we insist on line item honoraria for participating practices and develop scopes of work that are appropriate for busy clinical settings. 

  • The most important voice in any APBRN research project is the provider’s.

    For most practices, research participation is on top of already demanding workloads and schedules. We recognize that, and go to great lengths to ensure that protocols are feasible, efficient, and can either be integrated into routine clinic flow or done after hours with minimal disruption to patient care. 

    We also encourage participation in the planning and design aspects of proposed projects, to ensure that investigator expectations are reasonable and tasks doable in the context of daily practice. We try to engage providers and staff in all aspects of the research process and encourage them to speak out about what will or won’t work from a practical standpoint. Often their input is critical not only to the successful implementation of smooth-running studies, but also to the production of meaningful results.