The practice research network: benefits and limitations.

The 5-year experience of the Canadian Psychiatric Association's practice research network (PRN) in providing a window on physician practices in typical clinical settings is reviewed. The strengths of the PRN reside in the active participation of clinicians in self-monitoring as well as in the instrument adaptability and flexibility in addressing current issues of national relevance, including identification of educational needs. The PRN limitations are in the fact that the responders in general have limited research experience and the instrument can provide broad-based answers only. The creation of a national PRN is however an effective strategy in narrowing the gap between practice and research.