How physicians can drive comparative-effectiveness research: Lessons from New Zealand

The passage of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act means the US federal government is committed to implementing a comparative-effectiveness research agenda. Since then, there have been wide-ranging debates around almost every element of comparative-effectiveness research.1-3 An issue that has so far remained under-explored is the role of physicians. This role and how physicians might be involved in comparative-effectiveness research are important considerations. As front-line service providers, physicians have a considerable stake in how comparative-effectiveness research mechanisms are constructed, in leading collegial buy-in to associated processes, and in implementing recommendations through their clinical activities.