Council, IOM outline comparative effectiveness research suggestions

Two key players in the world of healthcare issued their suggestions to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for what they consider priorities for comparative effectiveness research. The Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research outlined which interventions and populations should receive part of the $400 million being made available to HHS for comparative effectiveness research as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) on Monday. Similarly, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) offered its suggestions yesterday about national priorities to be addressed by comparative effectiveness research. The ARRA is making a total of $1.1 billion available for comparative effectiveness research to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the National Institutes of Health, in addition to HHS.

Comparative effectiveness research is a way for professionals in healthcare to weigh treatment options based on evidence showing which types of treatment excel in specific situations. Literature review, patient study, and analysis of existing practice are all part of comparative effectiveness research.

To read suggestions from the IOM, click here.

To read suggestions from the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research, click here.

Do any of these priorities jump out to you? Will the money being earmarked for comparative effectiveness research have an effect on your daily jobs?