Partnership to Improve Patient Care

Last week two reports were released as a result of the comparative effectiveness research (CER) work currently being done as part of the $1.1 billion in CER provided under the economic stimulus bill. 

This work holds big implications for patients and health care quality, and I was pleased that both reports (from the Institute of Medicine and the Federal Coordinating Committee on CER) emphasized use of research to empower patients and providers, and ensuring that the needs of the disability community and underserved populations are addressed.

The point I think we all can take from this is that patient involvement matters. The Institute of Medicine received input from over 1,700 people, many of them from the physician and patient communities, and this input clearly was reflected in the report.

Now more than ever, its important for patients and providers to stay involved and make their voices heard.

This week, key Committees in the House and Senate are planning to release health care reform legislation that includes comparative effectiveness research – and the bills likely will take very different approaches to the issue.

More on this in my next post later this week, so stay tuned…