CERTaIN: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research from edX

In this course, you will learn about the characteristics of CER/PCOR, compare and contrast CER/PCOR studies and randomized controlled trials, and you will hear how PCOR researchers have overcome a variety of barriers to ensure patient-centered care.

This course includes the following 11 lectures:

Engaging Patients and Stakeholders in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Principles of Community-Based Participatory Research
Shared Decision Making in Cancer: Models and Methods
Patient Decision Support Tools in Cancer
An Overview of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cancer
Designing Surveys: Asking Questions with a Purpose
Qualitative Methods of Research
Dissemination and Implementation Research in PCOR: Translating Knowledge Into Practice
The Role of Health Literacy in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research
Cognitive Impairment and Participation in Research
Behavioral Interventions in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research

This course is intended for anyone interested in comparative effectiveness research (CER) and patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) methods.

This course is supported by grant number R25HS023214 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Describe methods used in cer/pcor studies

Differentiate between cer/pcor studies and randomized controlled trials

Describe methods used in cer/pcor studies
Differentiate between cer/pcor studies and randomized controlled trials

Syllabus

Engaging Patients and Stakeholders in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR)

Patient and stakeholder engagement in research, principles and benefits

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers core topics in comparative effectiveness research (CER) and patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), providing a solid foundation for learners

Provides valuable insights into the distinct characteristics of CER/PCOR studies and how they compare to randomized controlled trials, offering a comprehensive understanding

Helps learners appreciate the role of patients and stakeholders in driving patient-centered care, fostering a more collaborative and informed approach

Offers practical guidance on overcoming barriers to patient-centered care through innovative research methods and strategies, empowering learners to make a tangible impact in healthcare

Led by esteemed instructors, Maria E. Suarez-Almazor, MD, PhD, and Robert J. Volk, PhD, who bring a wealth of expertise and experience in the field, ensuring high-quality instruction

Engages learners in interactive discussions and hands-on activities, enabling them to actively participate in the learning process and apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios

Reviews summary

Patient-centered outcomes research methods overview

According to learners, this course provides a solid introduction to the foundational concepts and methods of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR). Students find the lectures cover a wide range of relevant topics, from stakeholder engagement and qualitative methods to health literacy and behavioral interventions. The course is seen as a valuable starting point for those new to the field or needing a refresher on specific areas within PCOR, particularly within the context of cancer research. Reviewers often highlight the practical relevance of the material, though some suggest deeper dives into specific methodologies would enhance the learning experience.

Concepts are applicable to research.

"The concepts discussed were highly relevant to my work in health outcomes research."

"I can see how I can apply many of these methods and considerations in my own studies."

"Provides practical insights into engaging patients and designing relevant studies."

"Found the information directly applicable to current research challenges."

Suitable for those new to the field.

"A good introductory course if you are just starting to learn about PCOR."

"I had limited knowledge of PCOR before this, and I feel I now have a strong basic understanding."

"Perfect for someone who needs an initial grounding in the principles and methods."

"It serves as a great entry point into the world of patient outcomes research."

Covers many essential PCOR topics.

"This course provides an excellent overview of patient-centered outcomes research methods."

"It covered many of the topics I was hoping to learn about in PCOR, from PROs to D&I."

"The range of subjects discussed gives a comprehensive look at what PCOR entails."

"I found the course content to be quite broad, touching upon several key areas in PCOR."

Some lectures are stronger than others.

"While some lectures were very clear and engaging, others were less structured."

"Felt that the quality and depth varied significantly between the different modules."

"Some topics were explained excellently, while others seemed rushed or less detailed."

"The instructors presented their material with differing levels of clarity."

Could benefit from deeper dives.

"I wish some of the topics went into more methodological detail."

"Felt like it only scratched the surface on complex methods like qualitative research."

"Could use more in-depth coverage on specific study designs or analytical techniques."

"A bit more technical detail in certain modules would be beneficial."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in CERTaIN: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research with these activities:

Review reading and summarizing scientific literature

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Reviewing how to quickly read and summarize important scientific literature will aid in learning from research articles faster.

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Identify key sections of a research paper: abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion
Practice reading and summarizing 2-3 research papers in the field of CER/PCOR

Review the basics of patient-centered outcomes research PCOR

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Review the basics of patient-centered outcomes research PCOR to strengthen your foundational understanding and prepare for success in this course.

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Review the course syllabus and identify key concepts related to PCOR.
Read introductory articles or book chapters on PCOR to gain a general understanding of the field.

Review basic statistics

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Reviewing basic statistics will help you refresh your knowledge of the fundamental concepts used in CER/PCOR research.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Review your notes from a previous statistics course.
Take a practice quiz on basic statistics.

Eight other activities

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Follow a tutorial on qualitative research methods

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Following a tutorial on qualitative research methods will introduce you to the basics of this important research approach.

Browse courses on Qualitative Research Methods

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Find a tutorial on qualitative research methods that interests you.
Follow the steps in the tutorial to learn about different qualitative research methods.
Apply what you have learned to a research project of your own.

Join a study group with other CER/PCOR students

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Joining a study group with other CER/PCOR students will provide you with an opportunity to discuss the course material and to learn from your peers.

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Find other students who are taking the same CER/PCOR course.
Form a study group and meet regularly to discuss the course material.

Review Principles of Health Care Ethics

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Reviewing Principles of Health Care Ethics will help you build a solid foundation in the ethical principles and theories used in health care decision-making.

View A History and Theory of Informed Consent on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly and make note of key points.
Participate in online discussions or forums to discuss ethical case studies.
Complete the review questions at the end of each chapter.

Design a mock patient decision support tool

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Create a mock patient decision support tool to apply the principles of shared decision making and enhance your understanding of this important aspect of PCOR.

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Identify a specific health condition or treatment decision for which you want to design the tool.
Research and gather information about the available treatment options and their potential benefits and risks.
Develop a prototype of the tool, including visual elements, text, and interactive features.
Get feedback from potential users, such as patients, caregivers, or healthcare professionals.

Practice designing surveys for PCOR studies

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Practicing designing surveys for PCOR studies will help you develop the skills necessary to collect high-quality data.

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Use an online survey design tool to create a survey for a specific PCOR question.
Get feedback on your survey from peers or colleagues.
Revise your survey based on feedback.

Attend a workshop on patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR)

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Attending a workshop on PCOR will provide you with an opportunity to learn from experts in the field and to network with other researchers.

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Find a PCOR workshop that interests you.
Register for the workshop.
Attend the workshop and participate in the discussions.
Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers after the event.

Create a presentation on a patient-centered outcome research (PCOR) study

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Creating a presentation on a PCOR study will help you develop a deeper understanding of the methods and applications of PCOR.

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Choose a PCOR study that interests you.
Review the study design, methods, and results.
Create a PowerPoint or Google Slides presentation that summarizes the study.
Present your findings to your classmates or colleagues.

Mentor a peer in a CER/PCOR course

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Mentoring a peer in a CER/PCOR course will allow you to share your knowledge and to help others to succeed in the course.

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Identify a peer who is struggling in the CER/PCOR course.
Offer to mentor them and provide them with support.
Meet with your mentee regularly to discuss the course material and to provide guidance.

Career center

Learners who complete CERTaIN: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Biostatistician

A Biostatistician designs and analyzes studies to answer questions about the effectiveness of medical treatments and procedures. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Clinical Research Associate

A Clinical Research Associate manages clinical trials, ensuring that they are conducted according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate

Data Analyst

A Data Analyst collects, analyzes, and interprets data to help organizations make informed decisions. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Epidemiologist

An Epidemiologist investigates the distribution and patterns of health and disease in populations. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Health Educator

A Health Educator develops and implements educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Health Policy Analyst

A Health Policy Analyst researches and analyzes health policy issues to inform decision-making. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Market Researcher

A Market Researcher conducts research to understand the needs and wants of consumers. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Medical Writer

A Medical Writer creates written materials about medical topics for a variety of audiences. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Nurse Researcher

A Nurse Researcher conducts research to improve patient care. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Patient Advocate

A Patient Advocate represents the interests of patients and their families. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Pharmacist

A Pharmacist dispenses medications and provides advice on their use. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Physician Assistant

A Physician Assistant provides medical care under the supervision of a physician. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Public Health Educator

A Public Health Educator develops and implements educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Quality Improvement Specialist

A Quality Improvement Specialist works to improve the quality of healthcare services. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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Research Scientist

A Research Scientist conducts research to advance scientific knowledge. This course may be useful in providing you with a foundation in patient-centered outcomes research.

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