The 2024 PCORI Annual Meeting, held on October 22-23, 2024, was a landmark event bringing together healthcare professionals, researchers, community leaders, and patients to explore the transformative power of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). The two-day event highlighted innovative research, collaborative partnerships, and future opportunities to improve healthcare outcomes and equity.
Here is a detailed breakdown of the key sessions and highlights:
Day 1: October 22, 2024
9:00 - 9:15 A.M.
Opening Remarks
Speaker: Dr. Nakela L. Cook, M.D., MPH, PCORI Executive Director
Key Highlights:
Recent research results transform healthcare decision-making.
Introduction of Foundational Expectations for Partnerships in Research.
The Partner funding opportunity addressing maternal morbidity and mortality rates.
9:15 - 10:15 A.M.
Empowering Voices, Advancing Science: The Future of Patient- and Community-Engaged Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research
The keynote explored the future of clinical trials, emphasizing the importance of connection and engagement in advancing health through patient- and community-centered approaches. It highlighted how collaborative efforts and inclusive strategies are transforming clinical research to deliver more relevant and impactful outcomes.
Moderator: Dr. Jennifer DeVoe, M.D., DPhil, FAAFP
Speakers: Morgan Hanger, MPP, and Chidinma A. Ibe, Ph.D.
Key Highlights:
Strategies for meaningful patient and community involvement in research.
Importance of diverse populations for trial outcomes and health equity.
Accelerating inclusion of patient and community perspectives in research.
10:30 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
Parallel Sessions:
One Year into PCORI's Health Systems Implementation Initiative
The session focused on how health system participants in PCORI's HSII are implementing patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) findings to drive meaningful changes in their systems.
Speakers: Kirsten Abramson, M.D., Wendy Bernatavicius, M.D., Kevin High, M.D., M.S., Bradley Kruger, M.A., MBA, Val Lehman, MHA, Vinay Vaidya, M.D., Cassie Vanderwall
Key Highlights:
Preparing system-wide teams for future implementation.
Mechanisms for patient and community advisory groups.
Data infrastructure improvements for program evaluation.
Fractured: Exploring the Effects of Intersectionality on Women's Health
Speakers: Claudia Campos Galván, MA, LGPC, TTS, JaDonna Harris, Tigress Osborn, B.A., MFA, Kavitha Ranganathan, M.D.
Key Highlights:
Challenges women face in clinical trials and healthcare.
Strategies to increase women’s participation in research.
How Are PCORI-Funded Palliative Care Trials Transforming the Delivery of Care for Individuals Living with Advanced Illnesses?
Speakers: Neeraj K. Arora, Ph.D., Joseph Greer, Ph.D., Kimberly S. Johnson, M.D., MHS, Rebecca Kirch, J.D., Manali Patel, M.D., M.S., Megan Thompson, Jennifer Tjia, M.D., MSCE
Key Highlights:
Addressing gaps in palliative care research.
Impact of PCORI-funded multi-site trials.
Future directions for advanced illness care.
12:30 - 2:00 P.M.
Make Way for Mental Health: Pathways to Promoting Mental Wellness for Children and Youth
The session addressed the pediatric mental health crisis, focusing on rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among youth and exploring solutions through patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER).
Speakers: Lester Davis, Dr. Altha J. Stewart, M.D., Dr. Christine Yu Moutier, M.D.
Key Topics:
Rising incidence of mental health issues among youth.
Potential solutions through patient-centered CER.
2:15 - 3:30 P.M.
Parallel Sessions:
Learn Why and How to Include People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Research
The session discussed including individuals with IDD in research, showing how their involvement improved outcomes and offered tips for better inclusion.
Speakers: Karla Ausderau, Ph.D., OTR, Kara Ayers, Ph.D., Teal Benevides, Ph.D., M.S., OTR/L, Kristin Berg, Ph.D., A.M., LSW, Anja K. Herrman, Jordan Lee, M.S., CCC-SLP, Megan Morris, Ph.D., MPH, CCC-SLP
Key Topics:
Inclusion of individuals with IDD in research.
Patient-centered outcomes from inclusive research.
Engagement Awardees as a Trusted Source for Community-Based Dissemination of PCORI-Funded Research Findings
The session highlighted the PCORI-funded PREPARE trial, its key results, and strategies used to disseminate findings through community-focused partnerships.
Speakers: Jennifer Moore Ballentine, M.A., Rachel Mosbacher, MPA, Joan C. Smith, Rebecca Sudore, M.D., Ivey Wohlfeld
Key Highlights:
Dissemination strategies for PCORI-funded research.
Community-focused engagement models.
Approaches to Hepatitis C Virus Care and Cure: Findings from the PCORI Research Portfolio
The session explored findings from PCORI-funded studies on Hepatitis C, highlighting patient perspectives and strategies to improve care and outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Speakers: Erin Colligan, Ph.D., MPP, Andrew Talal, M.D., MPH
Key Highlights:
Impact of HCV on vulnerable populations.
Findings from PCORI-funded CER studies.
Day 2: October 23, 2024
9:00 - 9:15 A.M.
Opening Remarks
Speaker: Dr. Harv I. Feldman, M.D., MSCE, M.S.Ed.
Key Highlights:
Dissemination and implementation work.
Groundbreaking Health Systems Implementation Initiative.
Patient-centered economic outcomes research.
9:15 - 10:15 A.M.
Advancing Equity Through Patient-Centered Research
The keynote focused on community-engaged healthcare research, emphasizing the importance of amplifying patient voices in addressing health equity challenges. The discussion highlighted bridging research and practice to improve outcomes in men’s and women’s health.
Moderator: Dr. Harv I. Feldman
Speakers: Dr. Pearl A. McElfish, Ph.D., MBA, M.S., Dr. Folakemi T. Odedina, Ph.D., Dr. Lanita S. White, PharmD
Key Highlights:
Amplifying patient voices in men’s and women’s health.
Bridging research and practice.
10:30 - 11:45 A.M.
Parallel Sessions:
Maternal Data Matters: Lessons From PCORnet
The session explored how patient registries and data dashboards can improve maternal health outcomes in the U.S., focusing on equitable, evidence-based care through PCORnet's research capabilities.
Speakers: Natalie Chalmers, DDS, Ph.D., MHS, Jennifer Tang, M.D., MSCR, Sonja Williams, MPH, PMP
Topics:
Leveraging EMRs for maternal health research.
Strategies for equitable access to maternal health data.
Partnerships in Research: Expanding Mental Health Care for Children and Youth
The session addressed the youth mental health crisis, emphasizing innovative care models beyond traditional clinics and tailored approaches from PCORI-funded projects.
Speakers: Matthew Biss, Lauren Brown, Dr. Angela Diaz, M.D., Ph.D., MPH, Anna Radin, DrPH, MPH, Dr. Mark D. Weist, Ph.D.
Key Highlights:
Community collaboration for youth mental health interventions.
Partner engagement impact on research design.
Opportunities for connecting youth to high-quality, culturally competent mental health care.
The Future of Workforce Development: Insights and Perspectives on PCORI’s Strategic Landscape Assessment of Health Research Workforce Initiatives
Speakers: Dr. Philip Alberti, Ph.D., Dr. Megan Bair-Merritt, M.D., MSCE, Dr. Elisheva Danan, M.D., MPH, Dr. Angelica Geter, DrPH, MPH, Dr. Ralph Gonzales, M.D., MSPH, Michelle Johnston-Fleece, MPH
Key Topics:
Findings from PCORI’s Strategic Landscape Assessment.
Workforce development in patient-centered CER.
12:15 - 1:45 P.M.
Achieving Patient-Centeredness in Artificial Intelligence
Speakers: Dr. Sue Bakken, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Dr. Helen Burstin, M.D., MPH, MACP, Gwen Darien, Dr. Elizabeth A. Stuart, Ph.D.
Key Highlights:
Enhancing the value of AI for patients.
Future directions for patient-centered AI innovations.
1:45 - 2:00 P.M. Closing Remarks
Speaker: Dr. Nakela L. Cook, M.D., MPH
Key Messages:
A renewed focus on community collaboration and health equity.
The ongoing impact of patient-centered CER in transforming healthcare practices.
2:15 - 3:30 P.M.
Parallel Sessions:
Leveraging Trauma-Informed Approaches for Patient-Centered Care Delivery
The session focused on the importance of trauma-informed approaches in healthcare and research, addressing gaps in care and opportunities to improve trauma therapies through patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER).
Speakers: Sgt. David A. Hibler, M.S., Mighty Fine, MPH, Dr. Heather Lipkind, M.D., M.S., Dr. Casey Taft, Ph.D.
Key Highlights:
Multi-level interventions for trauma-informed care.
Future research opportunities for trauma therapies.
Engaging Youth, Igniting Change: Exploring Youth Engagement in PCORI-Funded Awards
Speakers: Morayo Akande, MPH, Rosa Kelekian, MSW, Dr. Kathleen Tebb, Ph.D., FSAHM
Key Topics:
Insights on meaningful youth engagement in research.
Elevating youth voices in healthcare decision-making.
Informing Decisions in an Increasingly Complex World: PCORI-Funded Evidence at Work
The session explored how PCORI’s patient-centered CER approach, with a focus on sickle cell disease, informs decisions on interventions and innovations, addressing the complexities of health and care through engagement, infrastructure, and dissemination.
Speakers: Dr. Lakshmanan Krishnamurti, M.D., Dr. Sophie Lanzkron, M.D., MHS, Tiffani Moss, M.S.
Key Highlights:
Sickle cell disease as a lens for patient-centered CER.
Integrating CER for better decision-making in healthcare.
WRAP:
This year’s PCORI Annual Meeting marked another step forward in fostering collaborations and improving health outcomes. With its unwavering commitment to patient-centered research, PCORI continues to lead the way toward a more equitable and effective healthcare system.