The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has announced awards totaling $165 million in support of new patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER), as well as research designed to improve methods and strengthen the science of engagement in patient-centered CER.

Among the 10 CER studies funded, three will evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth interventions to treat Type 2 diabetes, chronic low back pain, and opioid use disorder; two large, multiphase CER studies will support care approaches for patients with heart conditions; and three will compare the timing of care delivery and its effect on patient outcomes, including a large, multiphase CER study of in-vitro fertilization, another focused on antibiotics for young children with mild pneumonia, and a third on treatment for inflammatory myelitis and optic neuritis. The two remaining CER funding awards will support studies comparing strategies to treat urinary incontinence during vaginal prolapse repair procedures and approaches to address the social needs of patients managing multiple chronic conditions.

The institute also supports efforts to promote the uptake of PCORI-funded CER findings in clinical practice, and a new award will fund a project to disseminate results of a study that evaluated outcomes for tubal ligation and intrauterine devices. In addition, PCORI approved a total of $4 million for four studies to improve methods for conducting CER and more than $5 million for three studies that will strengthen the evidence base on how research teams can optimize engagement of patients and other healthcare decision makers throughout the design and conduct of patient-centered CER.

“These latest PCORI-funded comparative clinical effectiveness research studies will generate evidence for various care approaches, including virtual delivery methods, when managing conditions such as diabetes, heart conditions, and other health concerns affecting patients across the nation,” said PCORI executive director Nakela L. Cook. “Through research approaches that will engender trust and trustworthiness, the findings of these studies will offer valuable insights for patients and those who care for them to make better-informed healthcare decisions.”

For a complete list of the latest recipients, see the PCORI website.

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Gordon Koff)