Aims

To support the free and open dissemination of research findings and information on alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. To encourage open access to peer-reviewed articles free for all to view.

For full versions of posted research articles readers are encouraged to email requests for "electronic reprints" (text file, PDF files, FAX copies) to the corresponding or lead author, who is highlighted in the posting.

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Friday, July 3, 2009

Initial National Priorities for Comparative Effectiveness Research
REPORT BRIEF • JUNE 2009

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 called on the Institute of Medicine to recommend a list of priority topics to be the initial focus of a new national investment in comparative effectiveness research. The IOM’s recommendations are contained in the report, Initial National Priorities for Comparative Effectiveness Research. The list of priority topics is provided below. The topics are listed by quartile (groups of 25). The first quartile is considered the highest priority group and the fourth quartile the lowest. Within each group, however, the order of individual topics does not indicate rank.

The list provides a starting point for what the report says should be a sustained effort to conduct comparative effectiveness research. As this research initiative progresses, the priorities will evolve as well. Ultimately, research on these and future topics will not yield real improvements unless the results are adopted by health care providers and organizations and integrated into clinical practice.

Fourth Quartile

  • Compare the effectiveness of traditional behavioral interventions versus economic incentives in motivating behavior changes (e.g., weight loss, smoking cessation, avoiding alcohol and substance abuse) in children and adults.
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