Web-based Quality Improvement Program
History of ACPNet
In the 1990s, the American Society of Internal Medicine (ASIM) initiated the IMCARE Practice Guidelines Network. After the merger between the American College of Physicians (ACP) and ASIM in 1997, the Practice Guidelines Network was renamed QNet, and implemented a series of one-time cross-sectional card studies on five common clinical conditions: diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure, anticoagulation using warfarin, and cholesterol screening. Participants collected patient data on key evidence-based performance measures, and each received a confidential feedback report comparing the care process and outcome between his/her patient population and that of the group. These feedback reports provided a population view on patient care and presented objective assessments on the quality of care.
In 2001, anticipating the impact of HIPAA on practice-based research, QNet evolved into ACPNet. This was to distinguish the network from the best practices assessment model, and to clarify its identity as a practice-based research network.
Recently, the network has seen the equilibrium balance away from on-site instruction/education projects and move towards web-based learning. In order to maximize the level of translation of research into practice by reaching as many internal medicine physicians as possible, the network has turned to web-based learning as a more time efficient vehicle to drive forward quality improvement to the practicing physician.
To learn more about the network's current and upcoming activities, click here.
Page updated: 8-8-07
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