Social network analysis as an analytic tool for interaction patterns in primary care practices.

@article{citeulike:1561941, abstract = {PURPOSE: Social network analysis (SNA) provides a way of quantitatively analyzing relationships among people or other information-processing agents. Using 2 practices as illustrations, we describe how SNA can be used to characterize and compare communication patterns in primary care practices. METHODS: Based on data from ethnographic field notes, we constructed matrices identifying how practice members interact when practice-level decisions are made. SNA software (UCINet and KrackPlot) calculates quantitative measures of network structure including density, centralization, hierarchy and clustering coefficient. The software also generates a visual representation of networks through network diagrams. RESULTS: The 2 examples show clear distinctions between practices for all the SNA measures. Potential uses of these measures for analysis of primary care practices are described. CONCLUSIONS: SNA can be useful for quantitative analysis of interaction patterns that can distinguish differences among primary care practices.}, address = {Department of Family Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. scottjg@umdnj.edu}, author = {Scott, J. and Tallia, A. and Crosson, J. C. and Orzano, A. J. and Stroebel, C. and DiCicco-Bloom, B. and O'Malley, D. and Shaw, E. and Crabtree, B.}, citeulike-article-id = {1561941}, doi = {10.1370/afm.344}, issn = {1544-1717}, journal = {Ann Fam Med}, keywords = {sna}, number = {5}, pages = {443--448}, posted-at = {2007-08-15 07:11:55}, priority = {2}, title = {Social network analysis as an analytic tool for interaction patterns in primary care practices.}, url = {http://dx.doi.org/10.1370/afm.344}, volume = {3}, year = {2005} }

TY - JOUR ID - citeulike:1561941 L3 - citeulike-article-id:1561941 N2 - PURPOSE: Social network analysis (SNA) provides a way of quantitatively analyzing relationships among people or other information-processing agents. Using 2 practices as illustrations, we describe how SNA can be used to characterize and compare communication patterns in primary care practices. METHODS: Based on data from ethnographic field notes, we constructed matrices identifying how practice members interact when practice-level decisions are made. SNA software (UCINet and KrackPlot) calculates quantitative measures of network structure including density, centralization, hierarchy and clustering coefficient. The software also generates a visual representation of networks through network diagrams. RESULTS: The 2 examples show clear distinctions between practices for all the SNA measures. Potential uses of these measures for analysis of primary care practices are described. CONCLUSIONS: SNA can be useful for quantitative analysis of interaction patterns that can distinguish differences among primary care practices. IS - 5 JF - Ann Fam Med SN - 1544-1717 AD - Department of Family Medicine, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. scottjg@umdnj.edu EP - 448 TI - Social network analysis as an analytic tool for interaction patterns in primary care practices. VL - 3 SP - 443 KW - sna AU - Scott, J AU - Tallia, A AU - Crosson, JC AU - Orzano, AJ AU - Stroebel, C AU - DiCicco-Bloom, B AU - O'Malley, D AU - Shaw, E AU - Crabtree, B PY - 2005///t UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1370/afm.344 ER -