The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI) seeks to understand the progress and performance of PCORnet® to support strategic decision-making.  

PCORnet is a “network of networks” that harnesses curated electronic health record (EHR) data from tens of millions of patients to support patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). Since 2014, PCORI has supported the phased development of PCORnet.  

NORC conducted a mixed-methods assessment to explore stakeholders’ experiences with PCORnet.

As part of its ongoing evaluation efforts, PCORI contracted NORC to conduct an interim assessment of the experiences of users, potential users, and Network Partners with PCORnet during Phase 3 funding.

NORC designed and implemented a mixed-methods assessment of Phase 3 of PCORnet, gathering data through:

• Qualitative interviews with PCORnet users and other stakeholders
• Two brief web-based questionnaires
• A public, multi-stakeholder virtual convening

NORC conducted a thematic analysis of the interview and convening transcripts and triangulated this with data from the questionnaires to generate findings. The final analysis details findings in four key areas:

• Experiences using PCORnet resources
• Engagement and diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Awareness and perceptions of PCORnet
• Progress towards PCORI’s goal for PCORnet