High Stakes for Setting Research Standards

What is the cost of poorly designed research? In the comparative effectiveness arena, faulty studies could mean that consumers may make important treatment decisions based on incorrect data. To give patients the best chance to improve their health, it is crucial that they and their health care providers have sound evidence in hand to guide medical decisions.

That is why so much is at stake with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) slated to finalize its Methodology Report. As PCORI gears up to support up to $500 million in research each year, the funded projects will be required to comply with the agreed-upon standards. Stakeholders have until Sept. 14 to share feedback on the proposed standards with PCORI.

PCORI is reaching out to stakeholders and encouraging them to provide comments on the draft report’s 60 standards. Earlier this month, PCORI held two webinars focused on CER methodology and the important issues at hand.

NPC has further resources to help stakeholders better understand the various research approaches and the most effective ways to use each one. The Research Methods 101 blog series highlights the strengths and drawbacks of different approaches, and additional research publications, video interviews with CER experts and articles provide a broader context.

The ongoing conversation highlights the important role methodology plays in ensuring the government’s growing investment in CER yields evidence consumers and health care providers can use to inform decision-making. Only well-designed studies will help researchers and other stakeholders draw meaningful conclusions about which interventions are the most effective treatment options for specific conditions and patients.