Capitalizing on the Potential of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF) was created by Congress in 2010. Its purpose is to accelerate funding of patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), ensure PCOR findings are integrated into health care delivery and clinical practice, and build the national capacity and infrastructure needed to conduct future PCOR research effectively and efficiently.

What is PCOR?

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) compares the impact of two or more preventive, diagnostic, treatment, or health care delivery approaches on health outcomes, including those that are meaningful to patients.

The Three Goals Set Forth by Congress for the PCORTF Are Accomplished by Coordination Between Three Partners

PCORI's Role

PCORI  (Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute) receives 80% of the PCORTF to advance the evidence on health outcomes through research. PCORI is mandated to conduct comparative clinical effectiveness research to assist patients, clinicians, purchasers, and policymakers in making informed health decisions

AHRQ's Role

Congress instructed AHRQ to invest in four specific activities in two areas that build upon AHRQ’s core mission and experience: Dissemination and Implementation and Training. 

• Dissemination and Implementation
  • Disseminate findings from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and government-funded entities that sponsor research on comparative clinical effectiveness.
  • Develop a publicly available resource that collects government-funded evidence and research from public, private, not-for-profit, and academic sources.
  • Support the incorporation of research findings into health information technologies associated with clinical decision support.

Learn more about AHRQ’s work in PCOR Dissemination

• Training
  • Build capacity for comparative clinical effectiveness research by awarding training grants to researchers.

Learn more about AHRQ’s work in training PCOR researchers

HHS' Role

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) also receives PCOR Trust Funds to build data capacity for PCOR. ASPE also convenes a Leadership Council to develop and implement a strategy to use their designated funds effectively.