Comparative Effectiveness Research

PATH has a track record that spans over 2 decades in designing and conducting Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). Although pivotal in demonstrating a technology can work, decision makers are often more concerned with whether the technology will work in the ‘real world’ when used in their own health care setting and when used on patients in their own jurisdiction. Definitions vary in scope and content, however Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) is broadly defined as an assessment of how well a technology (i.e. drug, device, program, service) performs in terms of safety, effectiveness and cost when compared with alternative technologies under ‘real world’ conditions.

Since PATH primarily supports ‘context-specific’ policy and decision making at the national, provincial and local level, CER is the cornerstone of the trial-based studies designed and conducted at PATH.  PATH’s Field Evaluation and Economic Assessment Program (FEEAP) is a major government-sponsored research program in ‘real world’ effectiveness evaluations. PATH conducts 2 types of CER studies: Conditionally funded with Evidence Development (CED) studies, where coverage is provided temporarily while evidence is collected; and Diffused Evidence Development (DED) studies, where an evaluation is conducted on a technology that is already diffused and used in the health care system. The design and conduct of each of these types of studies is very different and PATH has extensive experience in both types of studies.

PATH can provide consultative support in the design and conduct of CER studies or can play a more active leadership or collaborative role in either CED or DED studies. Our clinical trial coordination centre, our electronic data capture facilities, our data analysis expertise and our quality assurance program ensures the CER studies will be of the highest scientific credibility and quality possible.