Generating Evidence and Methods to improve patient outcomes | Vol 1 | Iss 2

Volume 1, Issue 2 (2013) Ways Decision Makers Can Use Evidence to Improve Patient Outcomes in Learning Health Systems

A Message from the Guest Editor

A learning health system is one in which clinical information and research are continually used to improve the processes, outcomes, and quality of care. No matter which definition of comparative effectiveness research (CER) or patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) is preferred, there is nearly universal agreement that a core feature of these research efforts is the need to engage decision makers, such as patients, providers, and policymakers, in prioritizing and defining research that addresses and resolves important evidence gaps to improve patient care and outcomes. In this set of eGEMs papers focused on decision-making, leaders in scientific fields with an interest in developing the next generation of CER, PCOR, and quality improvement studies share their perspectives on the potential applications, as well as the short-and longterm challenges, of using electronic clinical data to address health care information needs within a learning health system.
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