Given the number of collaborators involved with most studies involving PBRNs, establishing clear lines of communication to ensure that a trial runs smoothly is important.

Engaging the PBRN core team and/or PBRN central research project team in communications with the practices at all phases of the trial is crucial.

All research project team members should promote good communication, but the PBRN coordinator often oversees this task with the help of the practice liaison/research project coordinator.

Communication should be ongoing and updates should occur frequently.

Effective communication should be multidirectional, recognizing and respecting the expertise that all collaborators bring to a trial.

There are several different methods of communication (eg, in person, E-mail, phone conferences), and they should be tailored to the preferences of the collaborators.

In-person meetings are ideal for the initial presentation of the trial, practice training, and periodic trial updates. Video or web-based conferences can be used in place of in-person meetings if there are distance and/or financial limitations.

Websites associated with the trial or the PBRN provide good venues for trial information and for providing continual trial updates. Secure, password-protected web pages on these sites or proprietary software programs can provide centralized project document and communications storage and retrieval.

E-mail, newsletters, and social media are useful methods for providing periodic trial updates, answering questions, or providing tips to participating providers/staff.

Engaging PBRNs in publication and presentation opportunities when appropriate and acknowledging the contribution of the PBRN and the PBRN research project team members who are not authors in publications and presentations are important.