Rx-SafeNet is an “amazing resource” for investigators who collaborate with pharmacies
Are you a researcher interested in partnering with a community pharmacy? Consider collaborating with the Medication Safety Research Network of Indiana (Rx-SafeNet).
Directed by Margie Snyder, PharmD, MPH, Rx-SafeNet is a practice-based research network of 240 community pharmacies in Indiana. Its mission is to improve medication safety and advance community pharmacy practice in Indiana through the conduct and dissemination of collaborative, patient-centered, ad practice-based research.
“Practice-based research networks” are collaborative organizations that study research questions that directly impact patient care and use findings to advance practice. Historically, these networks were made up of physician practices, but community pharmacy networks have become more common, according to Snyder.
Snyder, who is also the associate director of the Indiana CTSI K12 program, said Rx-SafeNet offers a unique way for research teams to engage with pharmacy teams committed to advancing patient care through research.
“Community pharmacies serve a critical public health role, with almost 90% of Americans living within 5 miles of a community pharmacy,” she said. “Given the multitude of services they provide that extend beyond dispensing medication, and the breadth of individuals served, pharmacies are a unique and rich environment for research.”
The goal of Rx-SafeNet is to integrate project findings into daily practice to enhance medication safety and improve patient outcomes.
Case Study
Katy Ellis Hilts, PhD, MPH, engaged Rx-SafeNet for her study, “Give Quitting a Shot: Ask-Advise-Refer to the Tobacco Quitline During Pharmacy-Based Vaccinations.” For this study, her team launched a pilot program in 11 pharmacies that trained pharmacists to identify tobacco users and refer them to a tobacco cessation intervention. Eight of the 11 pharmacies were recruited through Rx-SafeNet.
Hilts said that she appreciated the support and feedback her team received from Rx-SafeNet throughout the course of the study.
“We had the opportunity to present our study early to increase interest and get feedback, and were able to adjust some aspects of the study based on this feedback, such as including technicians along with pharmacists,” she said.
Additionally, Rx-SafeNet provided recruitment guidance and conducted direct outreach to members to support recruitment efforts.
“I enjoyed working with Rx-SafeNet and fully intend to leverage this amazing resource for future projects,” she said.
Request to Collaborate
More information is available on Rx-SafeNet’s website. Additionally, interested investigators may also submit the Request to Collaborate form.
