BIGHORN - Practice-Based Research Networks

Practice-Based Research Networks

BIGHORN

WHAT IS BIGHORN?

The Building InvestiGative practices for better Health Outcomes Research Network (BIGHORN) is a practice-based research network of private primary care practices in Colorado, and a member of SNOCAP.

MISSION The mission of BIGHORN is to transform a network of undifferentiated private practices into a community of reflective, investigative practices and their patients, thereby enhancing the quality, safety, efficiency, and accessibility of primary health care through practice- based research.

Doug Fernald, the Director of BIGHORN, seeks to realize the next evolutionary step in PBRNs: a network of entire practices, rather than individual providers, representing the true diversity of geography, practice structures, patients, and communities of private primary care.

Learn more about BIGHORN. Contact us to learn more or to submit your best practice in clinical care.

MEET THE DIRECTOR Douglas Fernald, MA Bio: In addition to practice-based research network work, Mr. Fernald has ongoing lead roles in the evaluation of several primary care transformation efforts in Colorado. Combined, these evaluations comprise practice transformation work in over 300 primary care practices across Colorado. He has worked extensively on large and small-scale evaluation and practice-based research projects including behavioral health integration, health promotion, patient safety, and health risk assessment.

Special interest(s):​ Who knew a degree in anthropology would lead to a career in family medicine?

Doug says that it’s a great discipline to be in.

Interesting facts: When he was younger, he thought it would be cool to play the sousaphone. Turns out it was a terrible idea: it was bigger than he was at the time.

Email: doug.fernald@cuanschutz.edu

University of Colorado Department of Family Medicine Anschutz Medical Campus 12631 East 17th Avenue, Box F496 Aurora, CO 80045 FMNews@cuanschutz.edu