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Priority Updates from the Research Literature (PURLs) is an FPIN writing project designed to identify, critically appraise, and disseminate newly published research with the potential to change family medicine and primary care practice. The PURLS system was developed in a collaborative partnership of the Family Physicians Inquiries Network (FPIN) and The Journal of Family Practice as an objective of the University of Chicago Institute for Translational Medicine, funded through a Clinical Translational Science Award from the National Institutes of Health. PURLs help bridge the gap between emerging medical research and clinical practice by translating important findings into evidence-based recommendations for primary care clinicians

The original PURLs methodology, published in The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM) in 2024, describes the program's previous surveillance approach. Today, FPIN uses AI-assisted literature surveillance, faculty-led critical appraisal, and scholarly publication to translate emerging research into evidence-based recommendations for primary care.

FPIN offers two distinct opportunities for member programs to engage with PURLs: participation in the PURLs Writing Project or access to the PURLs Journal Club. These options allow programs to strengthen evidence-based medicine skills and stay current with emerging research at different levels of involvement.

Ways to Participate in PURLs

PURLs Writing Project

The PURLs Writing Project is available to participating FPIN PURLs member sites. Faculty at these programs critically appraise newly published research through PURL Jams, evaluating whether the findings support a meaningful change in clinical practice.

Following each PURL Jam, the site's evaluation is reviewed by the PURLs Editor-in-Chief, who determines whether the study will proceed as a PURL or Diving for PURLs manuscript. Faculty corresponding authors then have the opportunity to contribute to scholarly publications in Evidence-Based Practice and, for PURLs, The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (JABFM).

This membership option is designed for programs seeking active participation in critical appraisal, scholarly writing, and the translation of research into clinical practice.

PURLs Journal Club

The PURLs Journal Club offers a separate, lower-cost membership option for programs interested in strengthening evidence-based medicine education without participating in the PURLs Writing Project.

Each month, FPIN provides a structured Journal Club Toolkit featuring a published PURL article, facilitator instructions, speaker notes, and participant worksheets. These resources help faculty lead journal club discussions while providing residents with opportunities to develop critical appraisal skills and stay current with clinically relevant research.

The PURLs Journal Club provides an accessible entry point for programs seeking to incorporate evidence-based medicine education into their curriculum.

PURLs Writing Project: Requirements and Time Commitment

Requirements for Participation:

  • FPIN membership and an invitation to participate in the PURLs writing project

  • Participation of at least six faculty members in each PURL Jam; residents may also participate.

  • Critical appraisal of the assigned study using the six PURLs criteria.
  • Completion of at least 6 PURL Jams per academic year
  • A faculty corresponding author to oversee manuscript development following the editorial decision and EMS invitation.

 

Approximate Time Commitment: Participating PURLs sites are expected to complete at least six PURL Jams annually, with each session lasting approximately 1-2 hours. Faculty corresponding authors should also anticipate a few additional hours for manuscript development and the editorial review process.

What Are the 6 PURLs Criteria?

Each potential PURL is evaluated against six criteria to determine whether the research supports a meaningful change in clinical practice.

  1. Relevant: Relevance to family medicine and primary care.
  2. Valid: Scientific validity, including integration of prior research.
  3. Change in Practice: Leads to a change from the current prevailing practice.
  4. Applicable to Medical Care: The new practice approach is applicable in a medical care setting.
  5. Implementable: The new practice is immediately applicable.
  6. Clinically Meaningful: Expected benefits outweigh expected harms.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or call 573-256-2066.