Neurosurg Focus
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Containing growth in health care expenditures is considered to be essential to improving both the long-term fiscal outlook of the federal government and the future affordability of health care in the US. As health care expenditures have increased, so too have concerns about the quality of health care. ⋯ This article explains the key role played by the federal government in defining the context and process of comparative effectiveness research as well as its funding. Subsequently, the article explores the mission, priorities, and research agenda of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, which is an independent, nonprofit corporation established in 2010 by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate publication patterns for comparative effectiveness research (CER) on spine neurosurgery. ⋯ There is a paucity of publications using CER methodology in spine neurosurgery. Few articles address the issue of cost analysis. The promotion of continuing medical education in CER methodology is warranted. Further investigations to address cost analysis in comparative effectiveness studies of spine neurosurgery are crucial to expand the application of CER in public health.
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Comparative effectiveness research (CER) is emerging as a commonly applied technique to determine the usefulness of medical interventions. Such research aims to compare various treatments for specific disease entities for overall effectiveness and potential for harm. According to the Centers for Disease Control, an estimated 1.7 million patients sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually in the US. In this review the authors examine the existence of CER reports in the area of neurotrauma to date and consider the context in which clinical research and evidence-based guidelines have and will continue to inform such analyses, with special attention to TBI.