Communicating results of pRCTs to the medical community

Abstract The purpose of pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) is to produce results that directly address the practical questions raised by clinicians, patients, health systems, payers and other decision-makers. It is therefore fundamental that when PCTs are completed, their results should be shared effectively with clinicians and others. The simple act of releasing new information through traditional channels such as publications and continuing medical education, even using sophisticated methods, is rarely sufficient to lead to uptake of research findings and change in clinical practice; dissemination and implementation efforts require dedicated, well-informed, and inclusive strategies. In this chapter, we consider potential approaches for disseminating research evidence to clinicians and for implementing research into practice. We discuss barriers to uptake from the point of view of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), a funder with a strong commitment to the dissemination and implementation of evidence. Finally, we provide examples of dissemination approaches that target clinicians, and of implementation approaches designed to integrate new evidence into care delivery.