Potential of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund
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: the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Goals of the PCOR Trust Fund
Learn more about how Congress directed the PCOR Trust Fund to be invested to support these activities.
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 within two areas that build upon AHRQ’s core mission and experience: Dissemination and Training. AHRQ receives 16 percent of the PCORTFfor these purposes.
- Dissemination:
- 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.
- Training:
- Award training grants to develop the skills of researchers to build capacity for future comparative effectiveness research.
Learn More
DHHS' Role
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) also receives 4 percent of the PCORTF to build data capacity for PCOR. ASPE also convenes a Leadership Council to develop and implement a strategy to use their designated funds effectively.
