December 10, 2015
Patient-Centered Network of Learning Health Systems (LHSNet) approved for more than $8.6 million to participate in PCORnet, a unique national clinical research network
A new collaborative network that University of Michigan belongs to was recently approved for a three-year funding award by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), becoming part ofPCORnet, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network.
Dr. Charles Friedman, Dr. Debbie Gipson and Dr. Marcelline Harris are leading the grant investigative team.
A large collaborative initiative, PCORnet is designed to link researchers, patient communities, clinicians, and health systems in productive research partnerships that leverage the power of large volumes of health data maintained by the partner networks. PCORnet will enable the nation to conduct clinical research more quickly and less expensively than is now possible and will ensure that research focuses on the questions and outcomes that matter most to patients and those who care for them.
PCORnet consists of two different types of networks – 34 in total – working toward that combined goal: clinical data research networks (CDRN) and patient powered research networks (PPRN).
In addition to University of Michigan, the Patient-Centered Network of Learning Health Systems (LHSNet) includes partners across six states and nine academic medical centers, healthcare systems, public health departments and private health plans touching approximately 10 million individual lives, including patients in underserved and rural areas. LHSNet received more than $8.6 million for the three year award period.
"We're delighted to welcome LHSNet into our mutual efforts to build what we intend to be a premier national resource for conducting high-quality, patient-centered clinical research," said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, M.D., M.P.H. “LHSNet will be a superb addition to the other PCORnet partners as PCORnet readies to begin an exciting second phase of expansion and the launch of several research studies."
This network is one of only seven health data networks approved by PCORI’s Board of Governors to be added to the PCORnet national health research resource in its second phase of development. The award to LHSNet has been approved pending a programmatic and business review and issuance of a final contract by PCORI.
LHSNet is advancing a number of different projects that have the potential to improve how health care is delivered.
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About the University of Michigan Health System
For more than 160 years, the University of Michigan Health System has been a national leader in advanced patient care, innovative research to improve human health and comprehensive education of physicians and medical scientists. UMHS was named No. 1 in Michigan by U.S. News & World Report in its 2015-2016 Best Hospitals ranking system.
The grant investigative team from University of Michigan will be lead by Charles P. Friedman, PhD (Medical School, Department of Learning Health Sciences), Marcelline Harris, PhD, RN (School of Nursing, Department of Systems, Populations and Leadership) and Debbie Gipson, MD (Medical School, Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases). The grant will bring approximately $650,000 in direct costs to University of Michigan.
About PCORI
PCORI is an independent, non-profit organization authorized by Congress in 2010 to fund research that will provide patients, their caregivers and clinicians with the evidence-based information they need to make better-informed healthcare decisions. PCORI is committed to continuously seeking input from a broad range of stakeholders to guide its work. More information is available at www.pcori.org.
