Partnership to Improve Patient Care

The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute met in Washington D.C., last week where  several PIPC members spoke during the board’s public commenting period, including Dr. Vera R. Jackson of the Washington Chapter of the Epilepsy Foundation and Kathleen Teixeira of the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA).

Dr.  Jackson offered examples of how an organization like the Epilepsy Foundation’s can be affected by the CER process, saying that “we strongly advocate for CER that includes a goal of using real-world research, values individual patient outcomes and quality of life, and resists the urge to create a “one size fits all” medical decision for all health conditions. “  Her organization, along with other organizations, believes that if patient-centered outcomes research is appropriately defined and implemented, it can enhance our understanding of the variations among individuals, rather than ignoring them and focusing on population averages.

Kathleen Teixeira of the AGA expressed similar viewpoints on CER, stressing her organization’s support of CER and its ability to provide new treatment information to doctors and patients. In addition, on behalf of fellow PIPC members, she advocated that in order to have a successful PCORI Board, it “will require strong, ongoing involvement from physicians and other care providers.” She asked the Board to consider creating expert panels of practicing physicians and other providers to ensure the needed clinical and medical expertise is available to the Institute.

The primary message delivered by PIPC at PCORI’s meeting was that to maintain legitimacy in the heath care community and to ensure PCORI never limits coverage options for patients, the Board needs to keep CER as open, accessible, and transparent as possible.