Why do we need SORCE?
The outcomes research movement is transforming surgical care and the surgical community. Outcomes researchers help identify the best evidence to guide patient care. They determine the processes of care resulting in optimal outcomes, by critically appraising the results of a procedure, its global impact on patient health and well-being, satisfaction, functional status, lifespan and the healthcare system. Outcomes researchers “translate” this research into practice and policy by working with surgeons, payers and purchasers of healthcare.
SORCE was established because
- There are fundamental but complex questions to be addressed in surgical care such as:
- What accounts for variation in processes of care and outcomes seen across groups of surgeons, patients, regions, and in the community at large?
- What is the effectiveness and cost- effectiveness of surgical care?
- What is the appropriate use of surgical procedures and emerging technology?
- What are the processes of care that link to optimal outcomes in surgery?
- How can the use of best practices be most effectively encouraged?
- Creating high impact outcomes research requires resources such as:
- Reliable funding and trained investigators
- Availability of epidemiologists, psychologists, sociologists, health economists, statisticians, and study coordinators
- Translating outcomes research into policy and practice requires unique partnerships with:
- Payers, purchasers and regulators of health care
- Developing regional and national quality improvement initiatives