Foundations of Patient Centered Outcomes Research Project
The Louisiana Public Health Institute recently created a curriculum focused on principles of patient engagement and Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR). Although these ideas have gained traction in recent years, a gap persists between the patient-driven work that clinicians are increasingly expected to do and the training they receive in working with patients. This two year project was funded by the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award.
This curriculum is designed for medical students at any stage of their training. The central focus is to help students understand the importance of patient engagement across the clinical and research spectrum, give students a space to learn and practice the skills required for effective patient engagement, and help students understand the variety of roles in clinic-based research as they look ahead to their medical careers.
The curriculum features an online component and two in-person sessions. Topics covered include: the key ideas behind PCOR; building partnerships with patients; new roles for patients, clinicians, and researchers; and case studies of several PCOR studies. The curriculum culminates with a patient facilitated activity in which students role-play with standardized patients in real-life scenarios related to engaging and partnering with patients for PCOR.
The team piloted the curriculum in 2016 with Tulane University School of Medicine 4th year MD/MPH students. During the 2016-2017 academic year, It was also embedded within the Foundations of Medicine course (mandatory for all 1st year medical students at Tulane University) during the 2016-2017 academic year.
Additional information about the development team and process can be found at the training website: www.FoundationsofPCOR.com. The site also includes everything you need to deliver the training to students: training materials and presentations, a comprehensive implementation manual, and a facilitator’s guide.
Authors:
Rebekah S.M. Angove, PhD
Heather Farb, MPH