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PCORI

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

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    About Us

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    Subscribe to PCORI Email Alerts

    Sign up for weekly emails to stay current on the latest results of our funded projects, and more.

    Learn More About PCORI

    Download fact sheets about our work, the research we fund, and our programs and initiatives.

    Join Us! Work at PCORI

    View our current openings, benefits and apply online. Featured Opening: Program Officer

  • Research & Results
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    Research & Results

    • Explore Our Portfolio
    • Research Results Highlights
    • PCORI in the Literature
    • Putting Evidence to Work
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    Highlights of PCORI-Funded Research Results

    Read about results that are being published in leading medical journals and presented at major scientific meetings.

    CE/CME Activities: Treatment Options After a Stroke

    Find out how to apply research findings to help patients with atrial fibrillation make informed decisions about treatments following an ischemic stroke.

    Explore Our Portfolio of Funded Projects

    Find out about projects based on the health conditions they focus on, the state they are in, and if they have results.

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    Topics

    • Addressing Disparities
    • Cancer
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    • Diabetes
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    • Multiple Chronic Conditions
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    Featured Topic: Multiple Chronic Conditions

    A PCORI-funded study shows that a family-centered communication program in pediatric departments directly improves hospital safety.

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    Engagement

    • The Value of Engagement
    • Engagement in Health Research Literature Explorer
    • Influencing the Culture of Research
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    Older Adults Advise Researchers

    An Engagement Award brings together researchers and older adults living at home and in skilled nursing facilities to improve older adults' care.

    Explore Engagement in Health Literature

    PCORI has developed a new tool that enables searching for published articles about engagement in health research.

    Using the PCORI Engagement Rubric

    It provides general guidance and suggestions for engagement compliance and engagement strategies in the research process.

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    Funding Opportunities

    • What & Who We Fund
    • What You Need to Know to Apply
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    PCORI Funding Announcements

    Learn about open and upcoming funding announcements and how to apply.

    Tips for Submitting a Responsive LOI

    Find out what PCORI looks for in a letter of intent (LOI) along with other helpful tips.

    Do You Have Questions?

    PCORI's Help Center includes an FAQ section for answers to applicant, awardee and reviewer questions.

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    Meetings & Events

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    Watch Our Facebook Live Discussion

    We discussed how telehealth might help improve the outcomes for patients living with serious mental illness.

    Hear from PCORI Staff

    Invite a PCORI staffer to talk about our work and see a schedule of our staffers' speaking engagements.

    From Evidence to Impact: Putting What Works into Action

    Watch archived recordings of our 2018 Annual Meeting's keynotes, plenaries and breakout sessions.

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  • Research & Results
  • About Our Research
  • Research Methodology

Research Methodology

Developing and improving the science and methods of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) is a central part of PCORI’s work. Better methods will produce more valid, trustworthy, and useful information that will lead to better healthcare decisions and, ultimately, to improved patient outcomes.

Methodology Standards

PCORI's Methodology Committee, in accordance with PCORI’s authorizing legislation, submitted to the Board of Governors on May 10, 2012, the first draft PCORI Methodology Report.

After a 54-day public comment period, the report’s draft Methodology Standards were revised and adopted by the Board on November 19, 2012, then published on December 14, 2012. At its November 18, 2013, meeting, the Board of Governors approved minor editorial revisions to the standards. On May 8, 2017, the Board adopted a major revision of the standards, including the addition of a 12th category of standards. On April 30, 2018, the Board adopted an additional six standards, including the addition of a 13th category.

PCORI considers the accomplishment of developing, refining, and finalizing these standards to be a critical step in advancing the field of PCOR. We look forward to working with our many stakeholders to see that these standards become a useful and valued resource for the entire healthcare community. Proposed studies are required to adhere to relevant PCORI methodology standards, as updated in 2018. We recognize that a variety of study designs and analytic methods may contribute valid new knowledge. If a proposed study uses an approach or methods not covered by those standards, it should adhere to other currently accepted best practices. Learn more

Methodology Report

During its November 18, 2013, meeting, PCORI’s Board of Governors accepted the report presented by PCORI’s Methodology Committee, which was revised to address extensive feedback received from the healthcare community during a public comment period that followed the July 2012 release of a draft.

On May 8, 2017, the PCORI Board of Governors adopted a major revision of our methodology standards, including the addition of a 12th category of standards, and an updated version of the Methodology Report was released in July 2017. On April 30, 2018, the Board of Governors adopted an additional six standards; an update to the Methodology Report was released in January 2019.

The PCORI Methodology Standards
The PCORI Methodology Report
Frequently Asked Questions

Articles of Interest

Getting the Methods Right — The Foundation of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Sherine E. Gabriel, M.D., and Sharon-Lise T. Normand, Ph.D., New England Journal of Medicine, Aug. 30, 2012.

Toward Patient-Centered Drug Development in Oncology
Ethan Basch, MD, New England Journal of Medicine, Aug. 1, 2013.


Posted: September 21, 2013; Updated: January 28, 2019

Research Methodology

  • PCORI Methodology Standards
  • The PCORI Methodology Report
  • PCORI Methodology Standards and Report FAQ
  • Methodology Standards Academic Curriculum
  • Methodology Committee - Workshops and Events

About Us

  • Our Programs
  • Governance
  • Financials and Reports
  • Procurement Opportunities
  • Our Staff
  • Contact Us

Research & Results

  • Explore Our Portfolio
  • Research Results Highlights
  • PCORI in the Literature
  • Putting Evidence to Work
  • Peer Review
  • Evidence Synthesis
  • About Our Research

Engagement

  • The Value of Engagement
  • Engagement in Health Research Literature Explorer
  • Influencing the Culture of Research
  • Engagement Awards
  • Engagement Resources
  • Engage with Us

Funding Opportunities

  • What & Who We Fund
  • What You Need to Know to Apply
  • Applicant Training
  • Merit Review Process
  • Awardee Resources
  • Help Center

Meetings & Events

February 26
Board of Governors Meeting: February 26, 2019
March 19
Board of Governors Meeting: March 19, 2019
April 16
Board of Governors Meeting: April 16, 2019

PCORI

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Patient-Centered Outcomes
Research Institute

1828 L Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 827-7700 | Fax: (202) 355-9558
info@pcori.org

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