Initial National Priorities for Comparative Effectiveness Research Book

Summary 1

1 Introduction 21

Study Scope 22

Committee Formation and Procedures 23

Study Context 24

Organization of the Report 26

References 27

2 What is Comparative Effectiveness Research? 29

The Need for More and Better Evidence of What Works in Health Care 30

Defining Comparative Effectiveness Research 33

Characteristics of CER 37

Examples of CER Studies: Coronary Artery Disease 42

Existing CER Activity in the United States 46

Conclusion 54

References 56

3 Obtaining Input to Identify National Priorities for Comparative Effectiveness Research 61

Introduction 61

Invitations to Provide Input 62

Communications Directly to the Committee 62

Presentations at an Open Meeting of Stakeholders 65

Input from a Web-Based Questionnaire 68

Reference 75

4 The Criteria and Process for Setting Priorities 77

Introduction 77

Portfolio Considerations 78

Criteria Chosen for Priority Setting 80

Data Collection to Aid Topic Selection 83

Lessons from Previous Priority-Setting Processes 84

Voting Procedures 90

Lessons Learned from the Current Prioritization Process and Committee Recommendations 92

References 94

5 Priorities For Study 97

Assembling a Diverse Portfolio 98

Diversity of Research Areas 99

Diversity of Populations 102

Diversity of Interventions 103

Diversity of Study Methodologies 104

Introduction to Final List of Priority Topics 105

Discussion of the Priority Topics by Research Area 116

Timeliness and Limitations of the Committee's Priority List 136

References 137

6 Essential Priorities for a Robust Cer Enterprise 139

The Imperative for Effective Coordination of the CER Enterprise 140

Meaningful Consumer,Patient, and Caregiver Engagement 142

Robust Data and Information Systems 146

Develop, Deploy, and Support a CER Workforce 155

Bringing Knowledge into Practice 159

Conclusion 159

References 160

Appendixes

A Public Meeting Agenda-March 20, 2009 167

B Stakeholder Questionnaire 171

C Data Tables: Burden of Disease and Variation of Care 189

D Cardiovascular and Peripheral Vascular Cover Sheet 199

E Definitions of Medical Terminology in CER Priority List 203

F Committee Biographies 213