Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Asks Public for Input on Definition of 'Patient-Centered Outcomes Research'

PCORI's first structured solicitation of feedback will inform future research

WASHINGTON, July 20, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) announced today the initiation of a process to receive public feedback on the working definition of "patient-centered outcomes research," the unique type of research that is the focus of PCORI's work. This is the first structured solicitation of public input by PCORI, which was created by Congress through the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act as an independent, non-profit research organization to help patients and those who care for them make informed health decisions.

"There are different opinions about what patient-centered outcomes research includes," said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, M.D., M.P.H. "A work group within our Methodology Committee has created a working definition, so that we can have a shared understanding to guide our work.  Now we're seeking input from the public to make sure we have it right."

The working definition says "Patient-Centered Outcomes Research helps people make informed health care decisions and allows their voice to be heard in assessing the value of health care options." It answers four patient-focused questions:

• "Given my personal characteristics, conditions and preferences, what should I expect will happen to me?"
• "What are my options and what are the benefits and harms of those options?"
• "What can I do to improve the outcomes that are most important to me?"
• "How can the health care system improve my chances of achieving the outcomes I prefer?"

The definition also outlines four ways in which patient-centered outcomes research can answer these questions.

PCORI will hold a 45-day input period on the definition that will conclude on Sept. 2. Individuals and organizations are invited to provide feedback on five questions through PCORI's website, pcori.org, or by returning a questionnaire by email or standard mail.  PCORI will refine the working definition based on the input received.  Following this process, PCORI will conduct qualitative and quantitative studies to ensure the definition reflects the values and preferences of representative samples of U.S. patients and the public.

"Defining patient-centered outcomes research is foundational work for PCORI," said Dr. Eugene Washington, M.D., M.Sc., chair of the PCORI Board of Governors and vice chancellor of Health Sciences and dean of the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. "It is the basis from which our research will follow. Soliciting input on the definition goes beyond PCORI's statutory requirements and demonstrates our commitment to patient and stakeholder involvement throughout our work."

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute - pcori.org
202-683-6690 - [email protected]

SOURCE Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute