February 5, 2026

Medical Care Supplement Highlights the Capacity of PCORnet® to Power Patient-Centered Research

A collection of articles authored by PCORnet® Network Partners and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI®) was recently published as a supplement in the February 2026 issue of Medical Care.

Titled, “PCORnet®: Accelerating Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research,” the supplement offers an in-depth look at how the PCORnet infrastructure supports patient-centered health research, drives innovation, and enables high-impact research at a national scale.

The supplement features 19 peer-reviewed, open-access articles that highlight the strong scientific value of PCORnet in advancing patient-centered health research. Together, the articles introduce the PCORnet infrastructure, trace the growth of the network over the past decade, showcase inspiring examples of research powered by PCORnet®, explore innovative approaches to engagement and partnership, and share insights from PCORnet® Network Partners on implementing new technologies.

One article in the supplement was collectively written by eight PCORnet® Patient Partners. The article describes a framework for meaningful patient engagement that is “careful, kind, and connected.” This framework builds on lessons learned from patient-partnered research in order to advance, “a collaborative and co-created health research ecosystem that improves outcomes for all.”

“This special issue marks a point of inflection for PCORnet, reflecting substantial progress, shared learning, and future directions for collaboration,” wrote Erin Holve and Kathleen McTigue in their introduction to the supplement. “As the network continues to evolve, the papers are a useful snapshot of the unique features of PCORnet and opportunities for research teams to use PCORnet for national-scale clinical effectiveness research and other health research.”

Articles Featured in the Medical Care Supplement

Overview of PCORnet® and Patient-Centered Clinical Effectiveness Research

Research Papers

Commentaries

Contact the PCORnet® Front Door to learn how PCORnet can support your patient-centered research.