In the winter and spring of 2011 we conducted a needs assessment for comparative effectiveness research (CER) at UCSF. The needs assessment was conducted using key informant interviews with 19 investigators and an internet-based survey distributed to the UCSF CER listserv and other investigators. Four major issues emerged as barriers to investigators conducting and receiving funding for CER-related projects:
- Difficulty identifying potential collaborators at UCSF
- Lack of methodologic expertise in CER, and difficulty accessing people with such expertise
- Uncertainty about funding opportunities
- Access to datasets and cohort identification and data collection tools
These barriers provide a roadmap for future CTSI-led initiatives to expand capacity for CER at UCSF. Initiatives currently being developed to address these barriers include interactive web-based tools (including an expansion of UCSF Profiles and development of CER-focused wikis), a symposium designed to facilitate collaborations and networking around CER, and efforts to direct investigators to existing resources such as CELDAC and the Participant Recruitment Service.
- Read the full report
- For more information, contact Michael Steinman