POPLAR, the Primary Care Ontario Practice-based Learning and Research Network
Author(s): Marissa Beckles, Michelle Greiver, Jennifer Rayner, Jennifer Lawson, Andrew Pinto
Description:
As over 80% of Ontarians have a regular source of primary care, information in primary care electronic medical records (EMRs) is a rich, but underutilized, resource for addressing healthcare challenges. The Primary Care Ontario Practice-based Learning and Research (POPLAR) Network, unites seven PBLRNs across Ontario, including UPLEARN. POPLAR PBLRNs have significant experience and expertise in managing the secure collection of data from primary care EMRs, transforming, and analyzing these complex data to provide meaningful knowledge.
The POPLAR Data Platform provides an infrastructure to support clinical epidemiology, health services research, and quality improvement activities using de-identified primary care EMR data. The platform's feasibility has been demonstrated through more than fifteen years of PBLRN-led data collection, curation, and analysis; this includes the ongoing development of methods to manage and analyze complex primary care EMR data. POPLAR’s provincial research ethics board approval is through Clinical Trials Ontario, with Queen's University as the data controller.
Funded by Ontario’s provincial government, POPLAR is creating the largest source of readily available EMR data in the province. POPLAR’s governance includes the following Committees: Steering, Executive, Patient Advisory, Clinical Research, Data Management, Data Access and Regulatory Compliance, Stakeholder Engagement, and Indigenous Data Governance. A Governance Working Group provides recommendations on the overall structure. POPLAR data supports the CareCanvas QI Dashboard initiative, led by DFCM Q&I at the University of Toronto
A person-centered Learning Health System requires data, research and quality improvement, all embedded in sites where care is provided. POPLAR provides value by supporting all three.