Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Finalizes Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Panels

WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 1, 2013) – The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) today announced the individuals from across the healthcare community who will make up the final rosters of PCORI’s first four advisory panels.

The panelists, selected from among 1,021 individuals who submitted applications, were approved by PCORI’s Board of Governors in a public webinar on March 26. Eighty-three of the 84 nominees have formally accepted their appointments. Updated panel rosters were posted on the PCORI website today; a final roster for the Advisory Panel on Assessment of Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options will be posted with the confirmation of the last panelist, who will represent purchasers.

“Our advisory panels are representative of our diverse stakeholder community – contributing valuable experience and expertise to our efforts to build a portfolio of patient-centered comparative effectiveness research,” said Anne Beal, MD, MPH, PCORI’s Deputy Executive Director, Chief Officer for Engagement and Chief Operating Officer. “We look forward to working with them as we fund research that will help patients and those who care for them make better-informed healthcare decisions.”

The Advisory Panel on Patient Engagement will advise PCORI on how to ensure it is patient-centered in all aspects of its work. The other panels correspond to three of PCORI’s National Priorities for Research: Assessment of Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options; Improving Healthcare Systems; and Addressing Disparities. These panels will help PCORI identify and prioritize research questions in their respective areas and provide ongoing feedback on evaluating and disseminating the resulting research.

Each panel has 21 members representing different sectors across healthcare. Thirty-eight (38%) of members represent patients, caregivers and patient advocates, 13 of whom serve on the Patient Engagement panel.  Nineteen researchers (23%) and 15 clinicians (18%) are represented across the four panels.  Other stakeholder groups represented are payers (6%), policymakers (4%), healthcare systems (4%), purchasers (2%), and pharmaceutical, medical device and diagnostic manufacturers (5%).

Panel members are appointed for a one-year term and may be reappointed for a maximum of two terms. Charters for each panel, including panelists’ scopes of work, are available on PCORI’s website.

The advisory panels are not policy-making bodies but are critical to PCORI’s ongoing effort to ensure that stakeholder input helps to refine its research portfolio and other activities. PCORI plans to establish additional panels over time, including, as needed, those related to Randomized Controlled Trials and Rare Diseases as required in its authorizing legislation.