Research Ethics in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) [Methods Study], United States, 2015-2019

Patient-centered outcomes research, or PCOR, is a type of research that focuses on patient values and needs. PCOR includes patients in many parts of the research process, including helping to plan and conduct the study. Institutional Review Boards, or IRBs, oversee research studies to make sure patients participating in a study are protected from harm. But current IRB guidance may not address ethical issues that arise when patients are involved in other roles. In this study, the research team created recommendations to guide IRB oversight of PCOR studies.