What is CER?
Clinical Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) evaluates and compares different healthcare interventions, aiming to determine which treatments work best for individual residents based on their unique needs and preferences. It is a critical component of facilitating health care decision-making and delivering quality care in nursing homes.
To ensure equal partnerships and patient-centered outcomes in research, it is important that all network partners have a foundational understanding of what CER is and how it adds value. Designed to help stakeholders understand the language and logic of the CER research process in an engaging way PCORI has put together a publicly available and on-demand training package.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the EMPOWERING US Nursing Homes (NH) Network?
The EMPOWERING US Nursing Homes Network is a group of people working to improve life and care in nursing homes.
The group includes residents, family members, staff, leaders, health care providers, and researchers. Everyone works together to share ideas and learn what helps residents most. - What is this research about?
This research looks at different ways to provide care and asks, “What works best for residents?”
The goal is to help make sure care matches what residents need, want, and value. - Why should residents be involved?
You are the expert on your own life. Your experiences, needs, and opinions matter.
By sharing your voice, you help make sure research focuses on real daily life—not just medical tests or paperwork. - What will my involvement require?
Your involvement is your choice. You can take part in ways that feel comfortable to you. You may:- Share your thoughts or experiences
- Answer questions or join discussions
- Give feedback on ideas to improve care
You can be involved as little or as much as you want.
Your voice matters. What you share can help improve care for you and other residents
- What is the EMPOWERING US Nursing Homes (NH) Network?
The EMPOWERING US Nursing Homes Network is a group working to make nursing home care better. It brings together residents, family caregivers, staff, leaders, health care providers, and researchers.
The goal is to learn what works best and help nursing homes use those ideas in everyday care. - What is this research about?
This research looks at different ways to provide care and asks, “What works best for this person?”
The goal is to help residents get care that matches their needs, values, and goals. - Why are caregivers and partners included?
Caregivers often know residents best. You understand their preferences, routines, and what matters most to them.
Your input is especially important when residents have memory loss or trouble speaking for themselves. - What will my involvement require?
Your role is flexible. You choose how much you want to be involved. You may:- Share ideas about care or research topics
- Review consent forms or study materials
- Help plan how families are invited to participate
- Give feedback on how results are shared
- What is the EMPOWERING US Nursing Homes (NH) Network?
The EMPOWERING US Nursing Homes Network is a collaborative effort to improve care and quality of life in nursing homes.
The network includes residents, family and care partners, frontline staff, clinical leaders, health care providers, researchers, and regulators. Members work together to share best practices and apply research findings in real‑world settings. - What is this research focused on?
This research compares different approaches to care to understand what works best for nursing home residents.
The goal is to support informed clinical decision‑making and promote care that aligns with residents’ needs, preferences, and goals. - Why involve health care providers and staff?
Clinicians and staff understand daily workflows, clinical realities, and system constraints.
Your input helps ensure that research questions, methods, and findings are practical, feasible, and useful in everyday nursing home care. - What does involvement look like?
Your level of involvement is flexible and based on your interests and availability. You may:- Provide feedback on research questions or study design
- Share input on data collection or clinical workflows
- Help interpret findings and identify practice implications
- Participate in or lead research activities
Network Partner Training
Network Partner Training on Research Fundamentals »
Check back often, as new trainings are made available!
Resource Hub
Patient-Centered Comparative Effectiveness Research Training Workbook »
Check back often, as new resources are made available!
