PIPC Chairman Tony Coelho Praises Steps Towards Patient-Centered Comparative Effectiveness Research, Calls for Continued Progress

WASHINGTON,  Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In opening remarks at the Partnership to Improve Patient Care's (PIPC) 2nd annual forum in Washington, D.C., Chairman Tony Coelho praised the steps made over the past year in achieving patient-centered comparative effectiveness research, and called for continued progress. Commenting on the creation and initial work of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) over the past year, Coelho said: "We appreciate the progress that's been made, and we are looking for the progress to continue."

Coelho was joined at the forum by PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby and a panel of experts from the patient, provider and health policy sectors who discussed progress made, and additional steps that need to be taken, to ensure that the patient is the focus of effectiveness research.

"Being patient-centered is much easier said than done, but since becoming law, PCORI has taken positive steps in its work towards implementing patient-centered CER," PIPC Chairman Tony Coelho said. He highlighted PCORI's commitment to hiring a "Chief Patient Officer" and its decision to solicit and release comments on the draft definition of patient-centered outcomes research as two recent examples of positive steps taken by the Institute.  

Dr. Selby spoke about the foundational tasks PCORI has achieved to date and his vision for the future of the Institute.

"What makes PCORI unique among research organizations is its commitment to conducting research that is guided by patients, caregivers, and the broader health community," said Dr. Selby. "I appreciate the opportunity to work with passionate stakeholder groups like PIPC to advance patient-centered outcomes research."

Panelists who participated in the forum included Shawn Bishop, a former health advisor to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus; Marc Boutin, executive vice president & chief operating officer of the National Health Council; and Dr. Allen J. Taylor, director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging at Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Health Research Institute in Washington, D.C.

For more information on PIPC, visit www.ImprovePatientCare.org.

About PIPC
The Partnership to Improve Patient Care was formed in November 2008 to support proposals to expand the government's role in comparative effectiveness research that are centered on patient and provider needs; raise awareness about the value of well-designed CER; and promote the important role of continued medical innovation as part of the solution to cost and quality challenges in health care. Partnership members include a wide range of health care organizations representing patient advocacy, provider, and industry groups.

To learn more go to www.ImprovePatientCare.org.

SOURCE Partnership to Improve Patient Care