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Scientific and organizational collaboration in comparative effectiveness research: the VA cooperative studies program
Grant D Huang1, Ryan E Ferguson, Peter N Peduzzi
1Cooperative Studies Program Central Office, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington, District of Columbia 20420, USA. grant.huang@va.gov
The American Journal of Medicine
|December 28, 2010
Summary
Comparative effectiveness research (CER) can improve healthcare but faces challenges. The Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) offers a model for conducting large-scale CER studies, providing valuable lessons and addressing barriers.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Clinical Trials Methodology
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is crucial for improving patient outcomes and informing healthcare decisions.
- Conducting CER faces significant methodological, resource, and translational challenges.
- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cooperative Studies Program (CSP) has a long history of generating clinical evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the VA CSP as a model for addressing challenges in comparative effectiveness research.
- To identify strategies and lessons learned from conducting large-scale CER studies within the CSP.
- To discuss future directions for CER within the VA and nationally.
Main Methods:
- The article reviews the structure and operational factors of the VA CSP.
- It examines how CSP strategies support the planning and execution of comparative studies.
- Lessons from CSP's experience with CER are discussed.
Main Results:
- The CSP infrastructure and experience provide a viable model for large, national, and multinational CER.
- Exploration of CSP's challenges offers insights into broader barriers facing CER.
- The CSP's approach addresses scientific, structural, and operational factors critical for CER.
Conclusions:
- The VA CSP serves as a valuable model for conducting definitive comparative effectiveness studies.
- Understanding CSP's experiences can help overcome barriers to CER implementation.
- Future directions emphasize the importance of collaborative approaches for impactful CER.
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