PCORI Awards $123M to Support Clinical Effectiveness Research

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has announced funding awards totaling $123 million to support 15 clinical effectiveness research (CER) studies.

Additionally, PCORI awarded $4 million for two implementation projects intended to accelerate uptake of strategies shown in PCORI-funded studies. One implementation project aims to improve decision making about colorectal cancer screening, while the other looks to improve outcomes for patients with asthma.

“These latest awards demonstrate PCORI’s commitment to funding important research addressing evidence gaps on key health issues identified through the ongoing input and guidance of patients and stakeholders, including the persistent and worsening maternal health crisis that is a priority for PCORI,” Nakela L. Cook, PCORI executive eirector, MD, MPH, said in a press release.

“The research awards announced today will provide sound evidence to help patients and those who care for them make sense of their many options in a complex health care environment,” Cook added. “This research also will contribute data and strategies to help achieve health equity, one of PCORI’s National Priorities for Health.”

PCORI awarded six of the studies through targeted funding opportunities on specific high-priority topics identified through input from patients and other stakeholders.

These include:

• Four studies comparing multicomponent strategies to improve postpartum care and outcomes for groups experiencing the greatest health disparities.
• Two studies comparing the effectiveness of approaches to remote blood pressure monitoring that aim to address inequities in blood pressure control, such as screenings through community-based organizations and remote monitoring via cell phones.

In addition, PCORI approved four studies that aim to advance methods for conducting patient-centered CER to ensure reliable, trustworthy results.

Areas of focus include machine learning, more efficient use of EHRs for research, improving trial design and analysis, and the function of secure messaging in healthcare.

“PCORI funds projects to promote the adoption of useful findings from comparative clinical effectiveness research. These projects help to ensure that research evidence is implemented in clinical practice and has the opportunity to have a salutary impact on patients, clinicians and health systems,” said Harv Feldman, MD, PCORI’s deputy executive editor for Patient-Centered Research Programs.

“Many patients who confront important decisions about health screenings and care for themselves or loved ones with a chronic condition may experience better care and outcomes as a result of PCORI’s latest implementation funding awards,” Feldman added.