The mission of the South Carolina Pediatric Practice Research Network (SCPPRN) is to improve health care for South Carolina children, with special attention to those most at risk, and to enhance primary care practice by conducting collaborative practice-based research.

About Us
SCPPRN Research Projects
SCPPRN Executive Committee Members
SCPPRN Network Practices and Practice Representatives
Contact Us

About Us

The South Carolina Pediatric Practice Research Network (SCPPRN) is a practice-based research network established by concerned primary care physicians who see a need for outcomes-based research that is "relevant" to their practice. The network is community-wide with participation of independent practices and their clinicians from Charleston, South Carolina and the surrounding areas.

What does SCPPRN do?
We develop substantive and practical research activity across practice settings for all primary care Pediatricians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners in primary care throughout the southeastern region of South Carolina. Members can choose their level of participation in all activities to match their interests, practice setting, and time commitments.

Who is eligible to join and how much time is involved?
Any physician, physician assistant, and/or nurse practitioner involved in the delivery of primary care. Individuals or entire practices may join. There is no cost to be a participating member of the network. The only requirement we ask initially is that all members complete a questionnaire that asks about your training, research experience, and the characteristics of your practice.

Why should you (your practice) join SCPPRN?
Have you ever had a question pertaining to your patients that hasn't been addressed in the medical literature? Does the research literature that you read seem like it does not apply to your patients? Many great ideas start with a question such as: "How can we make this better?" or "Why can't we change this?" SCPPRN has the tools to take you beyond the questions and toward the answers. As a group of practicing primary care Pediatricians, we realize the need for practice-based research.

As a practitioner, you possess expertise on how "front line" medicine operates and know research questions are important for primary care practice. By linking you with the experts in study design and research methodology, SCPPRN capitalizes on your expertise and lets you participate in generating new knowledge about primary care practice. We encourage as much network practitioner involvement in the design and conduct of research. Your participation at any level is vital to the planning and continuation of a successful practice-based research network in our community. All network members are invited to author or co-author any publications, if they are interested.

SCPPRN Research Projects

Recent Projects Completed

Presented at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality PBRN Meeting 2010, Pediatric Academic Society 2010 or National Immunization Conference 2010:

• How Well Do Practices Incorporate Q.I. Procedures for Vaccine Delivery? A Study from the South Carolina Pediatric Practice Research Network (SCPPRN)
  Network Practitioner:
  Paul Hletko, MD
  MUSC Investigators:
  James R. Roberts, MD, MPH; Maureen Kolasa, RN (CDC); Katherine D. Freeland, BS; Elizabeth S. O'Brien, RN; and Paul M. Darden, MD.
   
• Parental Beliefs about Relative Nutritional Value of Fruit Juice vs. Fresh Fruit
  MUSC Investigators:
  James T. McElligott, MD; Eliza Varadi, MD; James R. Roberts, MD, MPH; and William T. Basco, MD.
   
• The Prevalence of Secondhand Smoke Exposure and Parental Predictors of Smoking Cessation in the South Carolina Pediatric Practice Research Network (SCPPRN)
  MUSC Investigators:
  James R. Roberts, MD, MPH; Thomas C. Hulsey, ScD; William T. Basco, MD; Elizabeth S. O'Brien, RN; Anthony J. Alberg, PhD; and Katherine D. Freeland, BS.
   
• Variation in Fruit Juice Consumption Among Infants and Toddlers A Study from the South Carolina Pediatric Practice Research Network (SCPPRN)
  MUSC Investigators:
  James R. Roberts, MD, MPH; Eliza A. Varadi, MD; James T. McElligott, MD; Elizabeth S. O'Brien, RN; Katherine D. Freeland, BS; and William T. Basco, MD.
   
• Published Projects (PDF)

Ongoing or Proposed Projects

• Provider Reminders: Improving Vaccine Delivery in Office Practice. SCPPRN and CDC
  Network Practitioners:
  Arlene Shawinsky, MD, Henry Lemon, MD, Paul Hletko, MD, Abe Moskow, MD and John Sperry, MD
  MUSC Investigators:
  Paul M. Darden, MD, James R. Roberts, MD, MPH, Kristina Gustafson, MD, Thomas Hulsey, ScD, J. Routt Reigart, MD
  
  Practice based interventions targeted at the 18 month visit for immunization have the potential to substantially increase individual practice vaccination rates. We are in the data analysis phase of this project.
  

SCPPRN Executive Committee Members

• James R. Roberts, MD, MPH, Network Director
  
• William T. Basco, MD, Director of General Pediatrics
  
• J. Routt Reigart, MD, Committee Member
  
• Beth O'Brien, RN, Network Coordinator
  
• Thomas C. Hulsey, MSPH, ScD, Director of Pediatric Epidemiology
  
• Kristina Gustafson, MD, MUSC Practice Representative
  

SCPPRN Network Practices and Practice Representatives

Barnwell Pediatrics
Barnwell, SC
Abe Moskow, MD

Beaufort Pediatrics
Beaufort, SC
Francis Rushton, MD

Charleston Pediatrics
Charleston, SC
John Sperry, MD

Georgetown Pediatrics
Georgetown, SC
Paul Hletko, MD

Inlet Pediatrics
Murrells Inlet, SC
Amanda Droseiko, MD

MUSC Children's Care
Moncks Corner, SC
North Charleston, SC
Henry Lemon, MD

MUSC Pediatric Primary Care
Charleston, SC
Kristina Gustafson, MD

Oakbrook Pediatrics
Summerville, SC
Mary Kate Tillman, MD

Palmetto Pediatric and Adolescent Clinic
Columbia, SC
Deborah M. Greenhouse, MD

Salerno Pediatrics
Hilton Head Island, SC
Peter Salerno, MD

Seacoast Pediatrics
Charleston, SC
Arlene Shawinsky, MD

Contact Us

Medical University of South Carolina
135 Rutledge Avenue, Room 280
PO Box 250561
Charleston, SC 29425

James R. Roberts, MD, MPH
SCPPRN Director
Phone: 843-876-8512
E-mail: robertsj@musc.edu

Beth S. O'Brien, RN
SCPPRN Coordinator
Phone: 843-876-0219
E-mail: obriene@musc.edu

Katie D. Freeland, BS
SCPPRN Research Assistant
Phone: 843-792-2542
E-mail: daviskad@musc.edu