PCORnets

PCORnet, the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network, is a large, distributed network established by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to facilitate the conduct of observational clinical research. Its primary goal is to enable timely and efficient research that answers high-priority questions about the effectiveness of different medical treatments and healthcare services. PCORnet comprises multiple clinical research networks (CRNs) that are geographically and demographically diverse, representing a broad spectrum of the US population.

The network leverages existing healthcare data from a variety of sources, including electronic health records (EHRs), insurance claims, and patient registries. This data is de-identified and standardized to ensure privacy and comparability across the different CRNs. PCORnet employs a federated data model, meaning that data remains at its original site rather than being moved to a central repository. This approach enhances data security and facilitates the integration of large datasets.

Researchers can use PCORnet to conduct studies that recruit participants, collect data, and analyze outcomes more rapidly than traditional research methods. This allows for the generation of real-world evidence that can inform clinical decision-making and healthcare policy. PCORnet is designed to be adaptable and scalable, with ongoing efforts to expand its data sources and research capabilities. The network emphasizes patient engagement throughout the research process, ensuring that studies address the needs and priorities of those who will be most affected by the findings.