CaReNet Bylaws
This version revised and approved July 29, 2003
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Purpose of CaReNet
The purpose of CaReNet is to improve health and well-being by the application
of the methods of science to questions important to primary care clinicians,
their patients, and their communities. CaReNet is committed to questions with
the potential to understand health, disease, and illness, and the roles and
values of primary care, with a particular focus on disadvantaged populations.
Membership
CaReNet membership is voluntary and is open to primary
care practices. Practices join either individually or as part of an institutional
membership. Practice membership is at the discretion of the Board. All member
practices must complete an initial application and must agree to
- annually update a practice registration form and a clinician registration
form for every licensed clinician in their practice
- provide age/sex and diagnosis data of all patients visiting the practice
during the previous 2 years, if required by the Board
- designate a clinician contact within the practice
- designate a staff coordinator within the practice
- conduct and carefully complete CaReNet studies, including 2 to 3 simple,
descriptive card studies annually
- conduct studies with careful attention to detail and completeness.
Governance
CaReNet is governed by a Board of Directors that
is charged with setting directions and establishing procedures. The Board is
comprised of representatives from member institutions or practices, community
members, and a representative from the Department of Family Medicine. Board
members serve a 3-year term and may recommit. The Board may revise its own membership
and the CaReNet membership by a two-thirds majority vote. The Board may conduct
business by conference calls, meetings, e-mail, and other means as it finds
useful. See current Board membership guidelines
and members below.
The Board of Directors selects chair, vice chair, and
secretary, who together function as the Executive Committee. The
Executive Committee keeps meetings minutes and reports its transactions to the
Board at the next meeting of the Board. See current Executive
Committee membership below.
Chair
The Board selects a chair who convenes the Board as necessary,
but not less than once per year, to oversee CaReNet.
Vice Chair
The Board selects a vice chair who convenes Board meetings
in the absence of the chair.
Secretary
The Board appoints a secretary to record the proceedings
of its meetings.
CaReNet Director
The Board appoints a director who is not a member of the
Board, but who is fully authorized to represent and commit CaReNet internally
and externally. All CaReNet research is under the jurisdiction of the Director.
The Director keeps the Executive Committee informed of the status of CaReNet
and may turn to the Executive Committee as a source of advice and guidance.
The Director may appoint an Assistant Director, Communication Coordinator, or
other staff to assist him/her as needed. The Director serves at the pleasure
of the Board.
CaReNet Director of Research
The Director appoints a Director of Research with
approval of the Board. This person is responsible for overseeing the validity
of the research methods used for CaReNet studies. This person is also
responsible for reviewing the validity of data analysis and communication
(either written or presented) for all CaReNet publications and presentations.
The Department of Family Medicine provides staff support
for the Board, the Executive Committee, and the Director. Board member�s staff
support is provided by the representative�s practice or institution.
Financial Management
The financial management of CaReNet is conducted by the
Department of Family Medicine, according to the rules of the School of Medicine
. The Department of Family Medicine provides staff support for the Board, the
Executive Committee, and the Director. Research support is also provided by
the Department of Family Medicine at the discretion of the Director.
On occasion, there may be CaReNet investigations for which
another member of CaReNet is the recipient of a grant or contract. Such circumstances
are to be defined in writing and subject to the approval of the Board.
Initiation of Studies
Potential investigations are presented by CaReNet members
to the Director who makes an initial determination of the suitability of the
investigation for CaReNet. The Director makes a recommendation to the Executive
Board, which approves or disapproves the investigation. Factors that are considered
include the importance of the question to people and clinicians, the feasibility,
the workload, and the need for CaReNet�s involvement. Any project that is not
unanimously approved by the Executive Committee must go to the full Board for
a decision. A two thirds vote of the full Board is required for acceptance.
Board members may vote in person, by proxy, by phone, or by e-mail.
Actual details of studies are the responsibility of the
Director and the Principal Investigator. Principal Investigators are accountable
for research to the Director. If a member of the CaReNet Board of Directors
wishes to be a principal investigator on a study, she or he must abstain from
voting on any issues related to that study.
All CaReNet studies are reviewed by COMIRB or another
relevant IRB that is responsible for the oversight of a CaReNet practice, to
ensure that they are ethical and that human subjects are protected.
An agreement between the member practice and the Director
to participate in a study is established in writing and is considered binding.
Conflicts between Principal Investigators and the Director
are resolved by the Executive Committee, and the Executive Committee�s decision
is final.
Individual practices may pursue research projects at their
own initiative independent of CaReNet.
Recruitment of New CaReNet Practices
New practices will be recruited to join CaReNet with approval
of the Executive Committee or full Board of Directors. The Board intends to
primarily add practices that focus on disadvantaged populations.
Recognition of Participation in CaReNet
A wall hanging describing participation in CaReNet is
provided for display in each practice. Member practices may be recognized in
publications in accordance with the current version of the CaReNet
Publication Policy.
Publication of Results
The results of CaReNet studies will be published in accordance
with the current version of the CaReNet Publication Policy. Major or
cooperative projects may develop and adhere to a separate publication policy,
at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
Resolution of Conflicts
Conflicts about membership, studies, or policies will
be resolved by the Board, where not otherwise stated. Conflicts may be brought
to the Board from within the Board (e.g., if the executive committee is not
in total agreement on a decision) or from CaReNet
members or investigators. To ask for Board involvement in conflict resolution,
a person must request time on the quarterly meeting agenda by contacting the
director, assistant director, communication coordinator, research director,
or any member of the Executive Committee. Two-thirds of the board members must
be in favor to resolve a conflict.
Review and Revision of the CaReNet Bylaws
The CaReNet Board will review these bylaws biennially
and revise them as it deems appropriate.
CaReNet Board of Directors Membership
Board membership will be offered to the following groups,
based on institutional affiliation and practice type.
- Department of Family Medicine, UCHSC
- Salud Family Health Centers
- Denver Health and Hospital Authority
- Metro Community Provider Network
- Faculty / Private Practices
- Internal Medicine Residencies
- University-affiliated Family Medicine Residencies
- Non-university-affiliated Family Medicine Residencies
Two community members will also serve on the board. One board position will
be available for every 5 practices or part there of in each group. The Board
membership will be transitioned into alignment with the above representation
over the next 3 years.
Current Board Members (as of July, 2003)
| Constituency |
#
of Practices |
Representative |
| Department of Family
Medicine, UCHSC |
- |
Perry Dickinson, M.D. |
| Salud Family Health
Centers |
5 |
Tillman Farley, M.D. - Salud Family Health Center |
| Denver Health and
Hospital Authority |
8 |
Lucy Loomis, M.D. - Denver Health Authority Mark Anderson,
MD - DH Kids Care |
| Metro Community Provider
Network |
1 |
position open |
| Faculty / Private
Practices |
5 |
Greta McLaren, M.D. - Park Meadows Family Medicine |
| Internal Medicine
Residencies |
2 |
Steve Ross, MD - Internal Medicine AOP |
| Denver Area Family
Medicine Residencies |
6 |
Scott Strauss, D.O. - Swedish Family Medicine Residency position
open |
| Non-Denver Area Family
Medicine Residencies |
4 |
Lance Reynoso, M.D. -Grand Junction Family Medicine Residency |
| Community |
- |
position open position open |
Members of the Executive Board of CaReNet � July, 2003
| Chair |
Lance Reynoso, M.D. - Grand Junction Family Medicine Residency |
| Vice Chair |
Lucy Loomis, M.D. - Denver Health Authority |
| Secretary |
Steve Ross, M.D. - Internal Medicine AOP |
|