Telehealth to Optimize Management of Multiple Chronic Conditions among Vulnerable Populations in Primary Care – Cycle 3 2022

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has announced a funding opportunity that will provide up to $10 million in direct costs for studies up to five years long. These studies should comprise high-quality, comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) projects that focus on different approaches to incorporating access to and use of telehealth to optimize management of multiple chronic conditions in primary care, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Funding Opportunity Details

With the pandemic-related expansion of telehealth use, a clear need has emerged to identify the most effective, evidence-based ways to incorporate telehealth as part of routine clinical workflow to facilitate optimal chronic disease management beyond the pandemic and, specifically, among individuals with multiple chronic conditions in primary care settings. The use of telehealth modalities also has the potential to overcome barriers of distance and access to care, but future research should address the disparities that exist in access to and use of telehealth and ensure that any expanded use of telehealth ultimately mitigates, and does not exacerbate, existing documented health disparities among vulnerable populations (those who are elderly, rural dwelling, and/or low income; those in racial/ethnic minority groups; those with low health and/or limited digital literacy; those with physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities; those living in unstable circumstances; and/or those with limited English proficiency).

For more information or to request a brief consultation, please contact Leslie MacGregor, PCORI Funding Specialist: Leslie_MacGregor@hms.harvard.edu

Question of interest

What is the comparative clinical effectiveness of different approaches to incorporating access to and use of telehealth to optimize management of multiple chronic conditions in primary care, particularly among vulnerable populations?

Funding

Total allocated for this PFA: Up to $30 million in total costs
Total direct funding: up to $5 million for small studies, and up to $10 million for large studies

Maximum project duration

Five years

Important dates

September 7 – Applications open
September 15 – Town Hall
October 4 – Letters of Intent due
January 10, 2023 – Applications due
March 2023 – Merit review
July 2023 – Awards announced
November 2023 – Earliest start date