Community Practice Core

The Community Practice Core (CPC) provides DF/HCC investigators access to a racially diverse population of over 9,000,000 patients within the community-based clinical practices of Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates (HVMA), a Boston-based medical specialty group comprised of 14 health centers and over 300,000 patients; Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, one of the largest health maintenance organizations in New England with 800,000 members and an extensive provider network that includes physicians who practice in a variety of settings; the Cancer Research Network, a consortium of 12 HMOs nationwide with a total membership  of 9,000,000 patients; and most recently the Neighborhood Health Plan, a health maintenance organization with a diverse population of 120,000 members. 

This population is particularly ideal for studies: (1) involving basic, clinical and population sciences; (2) addressing diverse communities; (3) investigating dissemination of proven technologies and interventions; (4) requiring large samples of patients and/or providers; (5) involving rare cancers; (6) of cancer prevention.

The CPC is the only core within DF/HCC to offer investigators

• A connection to large, diverse patient populations in the Massachusetts area and nationwide.
• Access to comprehensive computerized patient data, including computerized medical records, pathology and radiology reports, pharmacy and appointment data, as well as outpatient and hospitalization claims.
• Support to develop research proposals within the community practice settings, including guidance through each step in the process.