PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Michelle D. Hamilton AU - Philip A. Cola AU - Joshua J. Terchek AU - James J. Werner AU - Kurt C. Stange TI - A Novel Protocol for Streamlined IRB Review of Practice-based Research Network (PBRN) Card Studies AID - 10.3122/jabfm.2011.05.110034 DP - 2011 Sep 01 TA - The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine PG - 605--609 VI - 24 IP - 5 4099 - http://www.jabfm.org/content/24/5/605.short 4100 - http://www.jabfm.org/content/24/5/605.full SO - J Am Board Fam Med2011 Sep 01; 24 AB - Purpose: The “card study,” in which clinicians record brief information about patient visits during usual clinical care, has long been a rapid method for conducting descriptive studies in practice-based research networks. Because an increasingly stringent regulatory environment has made conducting card studies difficult, we developed a streamlined method for obtaining card study institutional review board (IRB) approval. Methods: We developed a protocol for a study of the card study method, allowing new card study proposals of specific research questions to be submitted as addenda to the approved Card Study Protocol. Results: Seven card studies were proposed and approved under the Card Study Protocol during the first year after implementation, contrasted with one-card study proposed in the previous year. New card study ideas submitted as addenda to an approved protocol appeared to increase IRB comfort with the card study as a minimal risk method while reducing the hurdles to developing new study ideas. Conclusions: A Card Study Protocol allowing new study questions to be submitted as addenda decreases time between idea generation and IRB approval. Shortened turn-around times may be useful for translating ideas into action while reducing regulatory burden.