Dr. Christine Goertz |
The Patient-Centered Outcomes
Research Institute (PCORI) was
authorized by Congress to conduct
research to provide information
about the best available evidence to help
patients and their health care providers
make more informed decisions. PCORI’s
research is intended to give patients a
better understanding of the prevention,
treatment and care options available, and
the science that supports those options.
Palmer’s Vice Chancellor for Research
and Health Policy Christine Goertz,
D.C., Ph.D., was appointed to the 21-
member PCORI Board of Governors by
the Government Accountability Office in
September 2010. The Board represents a
broad spectrum of stakeholders within
the health care community—patients,
caregivers, doctors, nurses, researchers,
public health officials, payers and industry.
By law, PCORI’s Board is required to
include at least one state-licensed integrative
health care practitioner. This is
the “slot” filled by Dr. Goertz, who is the
only chiropractor currently serving on
the Board.
In June 2012, PCORI announced the
approval of 50 research funding awards,
totaling $30 million over two years,
through its Pilot Projects Program, which
will address a broad range of questions
about methods for engaging patients in
the health research and dissemination
process. Dr. Goertz played an integral
role in the development of the Pilot
Projects Program.
“There are still many gaps in our understanding
of areas where patient-centered
outcomes research is most needed, and
how to engage patients in the process of
identifying those needs, conducting the
research and disseminating the results,”
says Dr. Goertz. “The PCORI Pilot
Projects Program will support the collection
of preliminary data that can be used
to advance the field of patient-centered
outcomes research, providing input into
PCORI’s evolving research agenda.”
Along with staff and fellow Board member
Gail Hunt, Dr. Goertz led the effort
to create the Pilot Projects Program—
including developing the first funding
announcement, conducting informational
webinars for potential applicants,
working with the National Institutes of
Health to establish the PCORI Pilot
Projects peer-review process. She also
advised the selection committee (chaired
by fellow Board Member Grayson
Norquist, M.D., M.S.P.H.) on how best
to present a slate of recommended
projects to the Board for approval.
“The Pilot Projects Program is aimed at
advancing patient-centered outcomes
research as well as identifying gaps
where methodological research needs
further development,” adds Dr. Goertz.
“For example, one of the pilot projects
we selected will study how creating a
‘zone of openness’ might increase
patient-centered care. This project has
the potential to provide practicing clinicians
with the tools needed to help
improve patient-centered communication
and empower patients to ask and
encourage health care providers to
answer patient-focused questions.”