While most HMORN projects involve two to five Network sites, its largest consortiums are the most widely recognized. Nearly 40% of HMORN projects and consortium activities also involve non-member partners. In addition, the HMORN has numerous Scientific Interest Groups (SIGs) that foster new activities and relationships. The HMO Research Network (HMORN) brings together the research departments of some of the nation’s best and most innovative health care systems. Collectively, the HMORN represents over 1,400 scientists and research staff with methodological and content expertise from an array of disciplines – including epidemiology, economics, disparities, outcomes and quality assessment, trials, genomics, and more. CONSTITUENTS The HMO Research Network: Health & Medicine - Optimized LEARNING HEALTH SYSTEMS SHARED GOALS The Virtual Data Warehouse (VDW) is a cornerstone of HMORN collaboration. It facilitates multi-system research while protecting patient privacy and proprietary health practice information. Administrative, clinical and claims data are translated to a common set of agreed upon data standards at each research center. The VDW is an example of a “distributed” data model. Data required to support collaborative research are extracted and shared only after all ethical, contractual and HIPAA requirements have been met. COMMON DATA APPROACH STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE SHARED RESOURCES The HMORN strives to be the nation’s preeminent source of population-based research that measurably improves health and health care. HMORN members are committed to building and maintaining a common infrastructure and culture to support their shared goals and activities: Conduct actionable research of high relevance to patients, health care systems, practitioners, and policy makers. Leverage expertise, variation, and resources across sites. Share best practices, methodologies, and knowledge. Standardize and streamline data and administrative tasks. Build and maintain valuable infrastructure and tools not tied to external funding or a specific research topic. HMORN members are committed to optimizing the practice of medicine and improving people’s everyday health. Thanks to their unique position within learning health systems, HMORN researchers have specialized expertise in planning, carrying out, and interpreting research done in partnership with health systems and teams of health care providers. As a virtual organization, formalized structures and processes of the HMORN provide substance and presence – making the Network more than the sum of its “parts” or projects. Annual member assessments cover minimal staffing for critical governance, communications, and operational infrastructure. The HMORN has developed a wide range of tools and resources to support teams and activities. Some of the Network’s shared infrastructure and processes include: The Virtual Data Warehouse, a federated data model. HMORN IRB ceding process. Pre-negotiated Subaward Agreement and DUA templates. Template text, figures and tables for proposal writers. Guides, best practices, tools, training materials for projects at every stage – from development through dissemination. Communication tools (website, newsletter, listservs). Visit HMORN.org for these and other tools and materials. CONSORTIA, PROJECTS AND SIGs HMORN member research centers have many similarities: Affiliated with or embedded within a health care system. Scientists that highly value collaborative, public domain, non-proprietary research. Access to comprehensive health care services data for a defined patient / member population. Notable differences between sites include: Degree of integration between the health system and the research center, and of health services within the plan. Size and complexity of overall local research enterprise, including organizational and staffing models. Proportion, size and diversity of the defined population. ALIGNMENT AND DIVERSITY CONNECT WITH US Visit us at HMORN.org to learn more or subscribe to our news list. Follow us on Contact Ella Thompson, HMORN Manager, Share best practices. Create HMORN-wide administrative processes to build efficiencies. Research Administrators Coordinate, support and oversee VDW development and management across sites. Virtual Data Warehouse (VDW) Operations Develop and implement Network-wide IRB ceding processes. IRB Coordination Inward facing, cross-project coordination. Create and maintain shared research resources. Asset Stewardship Increase Board efficiency and agility. Manage Board strategies, policies, and initiatives. Executive Committee Outward facing, network positioning. Set policy, budget, and strategic direction. Governing Board Share best practices. Create HMORN-wide administrative processes to build efficiencies. Research Administrators Coordinate, support and oversee VDW development and management across sites. Virtual Data Warehouse (VDW) Operations Develop and implement Network-wide IRB ceding processes. IRB Coordination Inward facing, cross-project coordination. Create and maintain Asset Stewardship Increase Board efficiency and agility. Manage Board strategies, policies, and initiatives. Executive Committee Outward facing, network positioning. Set policy, budget, and strategic direction. Governing Board