AHRQ Projects Funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund
Dissemination and Implementation
AHRQ uses some of the funds it receives from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) to disseminate patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and to build research and data capacity for comparative clinical effectiveness research.
Projects to date include:
- National Guideline ClearinghouseTM
- Dissemination of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research to Students of Health Professions
- Dissemination of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Via Enhanced In-Store Promotion
- John M. Eisenberg Clinical Decisions and Communications Science Center
- Patient-Centered Outcomes Research—Dissemination by Health Professionals Associations
- Educating the Educators—Developing Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Tools for the People Who Educate Consumers, Patients, and Caregivers
- Paid Media Campaign—"Value of Using Medical Evidence"
- Integrating Patient-Centered Outcomes Research into Clinical Decision Support Systems—An Environmental Scan
- Evidence-based Practice Centers Methods Center in Decision and Simulation Modeling
- Implementation of SRDR—Systematic Review Data Repository: Testing and Maintenance
- Developing and Evaluating Methods for Record Linkage and Reducing Bias in Clinical Patient Registries
- Methods for Dissemination and Translation
- Disseminating and Implementing Evidence from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research in Clinical Practice Using Mobile Health Technology
- Enhancing Investments in Comparative Effectiveness Research Resources
- Methods Guidance to Improve the Dissemination and Implementation of Systematic Reviews
- Horizon Scanning System: Dissemination of Information on Emerging Interventions
- The Evidence-based Practice Centers—Evidence Synthesis and Translation
- National Initiative (Publicity Center) Contract Option Year
- Regional Partnership Development Offices Option Year
- Evaluation of Â鶹´«Ă˝ Comparative Effectiveness Research Dissemination Efforts
- Continuing Education of Comparative Effectiveness Research
- Electronic Data Methods Forum: Second Phase (Post-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Office of the Secretary Collaboration)
- Registry of Patient Registries
- Closing the Gap in Disparities with Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
- Disseminating Patient Centered Outcomes Research to Improve Health Care Delivery Systems
- Deliberative Approaches: Patient and Consumer Input for in Implementing Evidence-based Health Care
- Understanding How State Policymakers Use Patient-Centered Outcomes Research to Make Decisions
- Focusing on the ABCs: Accelerating the Dissemination and Implementation of PCOR Findings into Primary Care Practice
- Comparative Health System Performance in Accelerating PCOR Dissemination
- Evaluation of PCOR-Funded Delivery System Grants
- Supporting Decisions With PCOR
National Guideline ClearinghouseTM
AHRQ's National Guideline ClearinghouseTM (NGC) is a database and Web site of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines meeting specific criteria for inclusion. Recent changes to the inclusion criteria require that clinical practice guidelines be based on a systematic review of evidence. Systematic evidence reviews analyze findings of clinical effectiveness research. With the recent change in inclusion criteria, NGC is a mechanism for the broad dissemination of "government-funded research relevant to comparative clinical effectiveness research" under Section 937(a)(1) of the Affordable Care Act.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| National Guideline ClearinghouseTM | ECRI |
Dissemination of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research to Students of Health Professions
This project works with health professional student associations to evaluate students' understanding of the importance and clinical applicability of PCOR and shared decisionmaking to their practice. It also evaluates students' educational needs and preferences related to integrating PCOR findings into their traditional and non-traditional training curricula to affect future practice.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluating the Knowledge and Educational Needs of Students of Health Professions on Patient-Centered Outcomes Research | James Bell Associates, Inc. |
Dissemination of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Via Enhanced In-Store Promotion
This initiative promotes patient-centered outcomes research through public service announcements aired in more than 1,200 stores nationwide, with placement of AHRQ Effective Health Care Program brochures in at least 30 percent of those stores.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| In-Store Promotion Through Audio-Visual Support Contract | MediaForce PR |
John M. Eisenberg Clinical Decisions and Communications Science Center
This project continues the work of a research and translation decision science and communication center that facilitates access to and use of evidence-based clinical and health care delivery information and fosters informed health care decisions by patients, providers, and policymakers.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| John M. Eisenberg Clinical Decisions and Communications Science Center | Baylor College of Medicine |
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research—Dissemination by Health Professionals Associations
This project lets professional societies develop dissemination and implementation programs to integrate PCOR into clinical practice using education, quality improvement activities, credentialing, scientific programming, and other methods shown to improve the uptake of scientific evidence in clinical decisionmaking.
| Grant Number | Grant Type | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| R18 | American Board of Pediatrics, Inc. | |
| R18 | Society of Critical Care Medicine | |
| R18 | American College of Chest Physicians | |
| R18 | Society for Adolescent Health/Medicine | |
| R18 | American Psychiatric Foundation | |
| R18 | American Medical Directors Association | |
| R18 | National Physicians Alliance Foundation | |
| R18 | American Academy of Pediatrics | |
| R18 | Anesthesia Quality Institute | |
| R18 | American Society of Clinical Oncology | |
| R18 | American Association of Diabetes Educators | |
| R18 | Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics | |
| R18 | American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons | |
| R18 | Society of General Internal Medicine | |
| R18 | American College of Emergency Physicians | |
| R18 | Oncology Nursing Society | |
| R18 | American Geriatrics Society | |
| R18 | American Academy of Addiction Psychiatry | |
| R18 | American College of Cardiology | |
| R18 | American Psychological Association | |
| R18 | American College of Cardiology | |
| R18 | American College of Cardiology | |
| R18 | Infectious Diseases Society of America | |
| R18 | Society Of Nuclear Medicine And Molecular Imaging | |
| R18 | American Academy of Neurology | |
| R18 | American Academy of Physician Assistants | |
| R18 | Foundation of American Academy of Ophthalmology |
Educating the Educators—Developing Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Tools for the People Who Educate Consumers, Patients, and Caregivers
This project creates tools and materials to educate health educators across several disciplines (certified health education specialists, nurse practitioners, nurses, physician assistants, and medical assistants) about PCOR. It also encourages use of evidence in shared medical decision making with their patients.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Educating the Educators: Dissemination of Patient-centered Outcomes Research to Health Educators | AFYA, Inc. |
Paid Media Campaign—"Value of Using Medical Evidence"
This paid multi-media campaign fielded in the Stroke Belt region of the country, includes traditional print, broadcast, and Web-based media to educate health care consumers about the value of reviewing AHRQ's medical evidence and scientific research, particularly on common chronic health conditions, when weighing treatment options. The campaign also promotes the use of PCOR evidence in shared decisionmaking with their health care providers and clinical teams.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Publicity Center Optional Task: Multimedia Plan—Value of Using Medical Evidence | Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide |
Integrating Patient-Centered Outcomes Research into Clinical Decision Support Systems—An Environmental Scan
This project provides an understanding of the landscape for health information technology such as clinical decision support services and the steps necessary to integrate comparative clinical effectiveness research information into such systems on a wide scale. Information gathered from this project will inform future investments to incorporate comparative clinical effectiveness information into health information technologies.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Evaluation of CDS Stakeholders Regarding PCOR | Crosby Marketing Communications, Inc. |
Evidence-based Practice Centers Methods Center in Decision and Simulation Modeling
The Decision Modeling Methods Center has expertise in decision modeling, systematic review, epidemiology, and biostatistics to liaise with Evidence-based Practice Centers to determine methodological support needs and to evaluate potential modeling projects from current Comparative Effectiveness Review projects and to conduct projects using methods such as systematic review, simulation, and expert meetings to advance methods.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| EPC Methods Center in Decision and Simulation Modeling | Tufts Medical Center |
Implementation of SRDR—Systematic Review Data Repository: Testing and Maintenance
The Web-based Systematic Review Data Repository houses study data extracted from primary research publications during the course of conducting systematic reviews to increase the transparency of comparative effectiveness reviews, improve the ability to update systematic reviews, improve the quality of abstracted data, and enhance the efficiency and reduce the costs of conducting comparative effectiveness reviews.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Systematic Review Data Repository | Brown University |
Developing and Evaluating Methods for Record Linkage and Reducing Bias in Clinical Patient Registries
This project improves validity of registry studies through three related methods projects to improve the development of registries, a major activity of AHRQ's Effective Health Care Program:
- Framework for record linkage of registry to other data sources.
- Prospectively measuring physicians' treatment allocation decision process to minimize confounding by indication.
- Prospective collection of registry information for deriving instrumental variables.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Developing and Evaluating Methods for Record Linkage and Reducing Bias in Patient Registries | University of North Carolina |
Methods for Dissemination and Translation
These projects develop and test methods for translating and disseminating PCOR findings to hard-to-reach audiences, including patients with low health literacy, disadvantaged populations, isolated clinicians, and policymaker, and other decisionmakers who may not have had the benefit of more traditional translation and dissemination efforts.
| Grant Number | Grant Type | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| R24 | Massachusetts General Hospital | |
| R24 | Mayo Clinic Rochester | |
| R24 | University of Arizona | |
| R24 | Nova Southeastern University | |
| R24 | University of Southern California | |
| R24 | University of New Mexico | |
| R24 | State University of New York at Buffalo | |
| R24 | University of California, San Francisco | |
| R24 | Brigham and Women's Hospital | |
| R24 | University of Rochester | |
| R24 | Emory University | |
| R24 | Feinstein Institute for Medical Research | |
| R24 | University of Chicago | |
| R24 | Johns Hopkins University |
Disseminating and Implementing Evidence from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research in Clinical Practice using Mobile Health Technology
This project examines the feasibility of using patient-generated outcome data collected from home medical devices, mobile communication platforms, and other smart devices to improve clinical decisionmaking and create a registry of patient-generated health outcomes.
Awards expected by September 30, 2014.
Enhancing Investments in Comparative Effectiveness Research Resources
This project builds on AHRQ investments in comparative effectiveness research infrastructure through programs such as the Clinical and Health Outcomes Initiative in Comparative Effectiveness (CHOICE) and Prospective Outcomes Systems using Patient-specific Electronic data to Compare Tests and therapies (PROSPECT) grants. The goal of this project is maintain and update of these existing data resources to conduct future comparative effectiveness research.
| Grant Number | Grant Type | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| R01 | Kaiser Foundation Research Institute |
Methods Guidance to Improve the Dissemination and Implementation of Systematic Reviews
This project increases the relevance of AHRQ systematic reviews for patients, clinicians, and policymakers by developing detailed guidance on how reviewers should handle five challenges that may affect the credibility and utility of the review for end users: When to include decision analytic support, when and how to conclude that two treatments are equivalent, when to include or exclude studies based on quality, whether systematic review techniques should be adapted based on whether the technology is very new or already established, and how much/what kind of context should be included when assessing effectiveness.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-1 TBD) | RAND Corporation | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-4 TBD) | University of Minnesota | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-5 TBD) | Johns Hopkins University | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-7 TBD) | Research Triangle Institute | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-8 TBD) | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-10 TBD) | Blue Cross/Blue Shield | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-9 TBD) | ECRI | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-6 TBD) | Brown University | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-3 TBD) | University of Alberta | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-11 TBD) | Oregon Health Sciences University | |
| Methods and Dissemination: Collaboration to Improve Validity, Consistency, and Utility of Systematic Reviews (EPC4-2 TBD) | Kaiser Foundation Research Institute |
Horizon Scanning System: Dissemination of Information on Emerging Interventions
The horizon scanning system is a systematic process for searching for emerging interventions, prioritizing which are most likely to have a large impact in the near future, and disseminating the information to the public.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Horizon Scanning New and Emerging Topics for Comparative Effectiveness Research | ECRI |
The Evidence-based Practice Centers—Evidence Synthesis and Translation
The Evidence-based Practice Centers program is the cornerstone of AHRQ's effort in undertaking comparative effectiveness and PCOR dissemination and translation, with its ultimate aim being the inclusion of clinical research into clinical practice and improved health care. The evidence synthesis products and the translation and dissemination efforts undertaken by the Evidence-based Practice Centers have been used as an essential component and standard bearing requirements in the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines, clinical pathways, clinical decision support aids, quality improvement and performance measures tools, and to inform coverage or reimbursement policies as well as future research agendas.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Gout | RAND Corporation | |
| Testing for Celiac Disease | RAND Corporation | |
| Contrast Media Induced Nephropathy Systematic Review | Johns Hopkins University | |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders—Update | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Children With Special Health Care Needs | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Disruptive Behavior Disorders | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Ankyloglossia | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Postpartum Hemorrhage | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | |
| Â鶹´«Ă˝ and SR for EHC program—Radiotherapy Update | Blue Cross/Blue Shield | |
| Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis Systematic Review | Brown University | |
| Decision Support Tools For Treatment of pre-Malignancies or Early-Stage Cancers in Adults Systematic Review | Brown University | |
| Behavioral Health Programs for Diabetes | University of Alberta | |
| Â鶹´«Ă˝ and SR for EHC program—Imaging for Hepatocellular Carcinoma | Oregon Health Sciences University | |
| Imaging Techniques for Metastatic Breast Cancer Technical Brief | Oregon Health Sciences University | |
| Bladder Cancer | Oregon Health Sciences University | |
| Reducing Inappropriate Antibiotic Use in Acute Cough Illness Refinement and Systematic Review | Oregon Health Sciences University | |
| Decision Aids for Advance Care Planning Technical Brief | University of Minnesota | |
| Treatment of Bipolar Disorder | University of Minnesota | |
| Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder | Research Triangle Institute |
National Initiative (Publicity Center) Contract Option Year
This project continues AHRQ's national partnership development work, including placement of online virtual centers, to promote, disseminate, implement, and adopt the use of PCOR and Effective Health Care Program research and materials.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| National Initiative (Publicity Center) | Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide |
Regional Partnership Development Offices Option Year
This project continues AHRQ's partnering with organizations at the State and regional level for the purpose of helping them use Effective Health Care Program products when making treatment decisions.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Partnership Development Offices | Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide |
Evaluation of Â鶹´«Ă˝ Comparative Effectiveness Research Dissemination Efforts
This evaluation examines the impact of AHRQ's Recovery Act dissemination contracts on the uptake of AHRQ's comparative effectiveness research as part of the Effective Health Care Program. This project looks at actual implementation and uptake by health care systems and clinical decisionmakers.
Not yet awarded
Continuing Education of Comparative Effectiveness Research
This project continues the online continuing education Recovery Act contract to disseminate continuing medical education/continuing education modules based on comparative effectiveness research from the Effective Health Care Program.
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Continuing Education for Comparative Effectiveness Research | Winifred S. Hayes, Inc. |
Electronic Data Methods Forum: Second Phase (Post-American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Office of the Secretary Collaboration)
This new phase of the Electronic Data Methods Forum expands its interactions to other electronic data infrastructure projects that are conducting PCOR, comparative effectiveness research, and quality improvement and using health information technology to support routine clinical care. It solicits input from a broad group of stakeholders through participation in its steering committee and through other targeted interactions in selecting new topics within the areas of analytic methods for PCOR, clinical informatics, and governance.
| Grant Number | Grant Type | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| U18 | AcademyHealth |
Registry of Patient Registries
This project provides ongoing maintenance and continued development of the Registry of Patient Registries that allows researchers a single point of access to register and search for a variety of study types (clinical trials, observational studies, and patient registries).
| Contract Number | Title | Contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Registry of Patient Registries | L & M Policy Research, LLC. |
Closing the Gap in Disparities with Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
This project seeks to identify effective ways to reduce health care differences across diverse populations with a particular focus on minority populations in under-resourced health care settings. These differences may be in health care knowledge, decision-making, delivery, disease status and the outcomes that matter most to patients. The first step determines the effective strategies to communicate, translate, and distribute PCOR to reach these specific groups to reduce these historically established differences in health care and, to improve opportunities for more optimal health. The second step engages and develops long-term working relationships with relevant stakeholder representatives to implement the most effective strategies, design an evaluation plan, and provide a platform for continual dialogue with AHRQ and other pertinent agencies on ongoing solutions to improve the access and quality of health care for minority populations.
Award expected by September 30, 2014.
Disseminating Patient Centered Outcomes Research to Improve Health Care Delivery Systems
This project draws on AHRQ's proven method of using existing networks of providers and other key stakeholders to disseminate, translate, and implement delivery system evidence. The AHRQ networks most appropriate for spreading this evidence this include Accelerating Change and Transformation in Organizations and Networks, Primary Care Practice-Based Research Networks, Chartered Value Exchanges, and the Medicaid Medical Directors Learning Network.
Award expected by September 30, 2014.
Deliberative Approaches: Patient and Consumer Input for Implementing Evidence-based Health Care
This project uses a deliberative approach to gather input from patients on a complex topic related to the implementation of evidence-based health care decisionmaking. Topics for deliberation might include appropriate ways to address disparities in care, handling of personal health information, or issues of consent.
| Grant Number | Grant Type | Institution |
|---|---|---|
| R21 | New York Academy of Medicine | |
| R21 | University of California, San Francisco | |
| R21 | Syracuse University | |
| R21 | University of Michigan | |
| R21 | University of Washington | |
| R21 | University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester |
Understanding How State Policymakers Use Patient-Centered Outcomes Research to Make Decisions
This project seeks to support the use of AHRQ data and programmatic resources by regional, State, and local policymakers, including health officials who make decisions about services available through public and private financed programs. These audiences' needs vary greatly but include decisions about access to care, insurance coverage, levels of payment for services, educating clinicians and providers on evidence and best practices, and helping patients and consumers play an informed and active role in their health care.
Award expected by September 30, 2015.
Focusing on the ABCs: Accelerating the Dissemination and Implementation of PCOR Findings into Primary Care Practice
AHRQ will contribute to HHS's Million Hearts™ campaign by awarding grants to regional cooperatives that will disseminate PCOR evidence directly to primary care practices and support them in implementing clinical and organizational evidence in practice. The cooperatives will improve patient health through focusing on improving implementation of the Million Hearts™ campaign ABCS (aspirin use among people with heart disease, blood pressure control, high blood cholesterol control, and smoking cessation advice and support.). The long-term goal of the initiative is to learn if and how quality improvement techniques can build the capacity of primary care practices to implement PCOR findings.
Award expected in FY 2015.
Comparative Health System Performance in Accelerating PCOR Dissemination
AHRQ will develop three Centers of Excellence on Comparative Health System Performance in Accelerating PCOR Dissemination to identify and classify characteristics of health care systems such as Accountable Care Organizations, diverse Integrated Care Models, interconnected health IT networks, and medical homes over the next 5 years, including the types of arrangements physicians have with these systems, how these systems affect physician practice, and what types of physicians work outside of systems. They will also identify ways to assess the quality and cost of such systems, understand the characteristics of high-performing systems, and identify what system characteristics are associated with more rapid adoption and diffusion of PCOR-recommended practices throughout a system. This information will be used to help HHS better target the future dissemination of PCOR findings to physicians and other providers, to improve the PCOR adoption rates within systems, and to help guide reforms of systems to improve patient-centered outcomes.
Awards expected in FY 2015.
Evaluation of PCOR-Funded Delivery System Grants
AHRQ will fund an external evaluation of the "" grant awards to maximize the likelihood that grantees will be successful in promoting the spread and use of PCOR findings, learn how successful each grantee was in meeting the stated objectives and the facilitators and barriers to such success, learn how successful the grant program was in meeting its overall goals, identify common factors across projects that could inform future dissemination initiatives of this sort, and support the dissemination of lessons learned to promote the continued spread of evidence-based practices.
Awards expected in FY 2015.
Supporting Decisions With PCOR
In collaboration with the Office of the National Coordinator and others, AHRQ will launch a coordinated initiative to leverage the national investment in health IT to disseminate PCOR findings through clinical decision support (CDS). Components will include creation of a publicly available database of PCOR findings; development of resources for CDS implementation based on PCOR findings, including coded clinical knowledge and implementation guides; building Web services to deliver CDS resources to key stakeholders; engaging stakeholders for feedback and future direction; and evaluation of the overall initiative.
Awards expected in FY 2015.
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