AHRQ Launches Regional Partnership Development Initiative to Promote Comparative Effectiveness Resea

The Federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) recently launched efforts to promote comparative effectiveness research (CER), a type of patient-centered outcomes research, in patient and professional communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the U.S. territories. AHRQ has established five Regional Partnership Development Offices that are cultivating sustainable partnerships with hospitals and health systems, patient advocacy organizations, businesses, and other groups that serve clinicians, consumers, and policymakers. You’re invited to learn more about CER and to partner with AHRQ by using and encouraging others to use free CER reports and materials, which support efforts to improve the quality of health care in communities.

What is comparative effectiveness research?

Comparative effectiveness research provides information that helps clinicians and patients work together to treat an illness or condition. CER compares drugs, medical devices, tests, surgeries, or ways to deliver health care. The research findings don’t tell clinicians how to practice medicine or which treatment is best, but they provide evidence-based information on the effectiveness and risks of different treatments. Clinicians and patients can use this information to support their treatment decisions based on each individual’s circumstances.

AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program works with researchers, research centers, and academic organizations to conduct the research and focuses on 14 priority health conditions, including: cardiovascular and related diseases, diabetes, arthritis, mental health disorders, and pregnancy. The full research reports are made available, and findings are translated into practical patient and clinician materials, that include:

Patient treatment comparison summaries (English and Spanish)
Clinician research summaries
Executive Summaries
Faculty Slide Sets
Continuing education (CME/CE) Modules
Podcasts

Click here for free AHRQ resources.