The 22nd annual Health Care Systems Research Network (HCSRN) conference, with a theme of Advancing Population Health: New Models and the Role of Research, was held in Atlanta, GA, April 13-16, 2016 (http://www.hcsrnmeeting.org/). Co-hosted by Marshfield Clinic Research Foundation and Henry Ford Health System, the conference focused on the use of health care system and patient data in new ways to improve the health of our patient and community populations, and highlighted new and ongoing collaborations between researchers, clinicians, administrators, and patients. This year’s scientific planning team included co-chairs Robert Greenlee, PhD, MPH, from Marshfield, and Lois Lamerato, PhD, from Henry Ford, along with CCEPH’s Deb Multerer as conference co-coordinator.
About 340 conference attendees experienced scientific plenary sessions and special symposia focused on: 1) patient-centered care and the role of research; 2) new models for population health management; 3) precision oncology; and, 4) patient engagement in research. Approximately 135 scientific abstracts were presented across a wide range of research topics within 15 podium and 2 poster sessions. In addition there were about 40 ancillary sessions scheduled for project teams and scientific interest groups to meet on existing projects or develop new research ideas.
Formerly known as the HMO Research Network, the HCSRN brings together 20 research departments from some of the nation's best and most innovative health care systems. Collectively, the HCSRN represents over 1,900 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 (http://www.hcsrn.org/en/). This is the second time MCRF has co-hosted the annual conference since joining the HCSRN in 2005, the previous time being in collaboration with HealthPartners in Minneapolis in 2008. The HCSRN 2017 Conference is scheduled for March 20-23, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, San Diego, CA and will be hosted by Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute.