PCORI Launches Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research Initiative

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has kicked off a multiyear comparative clinical effectiveness research initiative with an initial investment of $50 million.

The Health Systems Implementation Initiative (HSII) aims to advance the implementation of clinical research results into healthcare practice.

There is an estimated 17-year lag between the publication of medical research results and their uptake in clinical practice.

"Comparative clinical effectiveness research produces actionable information that helps people make informed healthcare choices and improve their outcomes, but even the best evidence only works if clinicians and health systems are aware of it and can use it," Nakela L. Cook, MD, MPH, PCORI executive director, said in a public statement.

"Leveraging health systems' on-the-ground knowledge and experience in care delivery will enhance PCORI's efforts to implement practice-changing findings in clinical care and accelerate sustainable and scalable efforts to support lasting changes," Cook said.

The institute selected 42 health systems from various care settings and populations to participate in HSII. Collectively, HSII participants represent 800 hospitals serving 79 million unique patients across 41 states and the District of Columbia.

PCORI also opened the first HSII funding opportunity for participating health systems to propose capacity-building projects. Each participating health system can receive up to $500,000 for a project that supports preparation for future implementation strategies.

Subsequent funding opportunities will support implementation projects to promote the uptake of specific findings from PCORI-funded research studies within the health systems. These awards will range from $500,000 to $5 million per project.

HSII participants will collaborate in a learning network established by PCORI to share best practices for implementation and evaluation metrics. PCORI will also seek input from network participants on topics and findings from PCORI-funded studies for future implementation strategies.

"HSII provides a unique opportunity for participant health systems with a wide range of capacities and patient populations to adopt evidence-based, care-transforming approaches," said Harv Feldman, MD, MSCE, PCORI's deputy executive director for patient-centered research programs.

"The vital financial and peer support provided through HSII will not only facilitate the uptake of useful evidence that can improve patient outcomes but also lay the groundwork for future, nationwide scale-up of successful implementation approaches," Feldman added.