two people conversing icon

Patients / Care Partners

Sign up today to find current patient-centered research studies that are looking for people like to you share their insights and experiences.

two people conversing icon

Researchers

Sign up today to find patients and care partners to engage in your PCOR projects.

Project criteria:

  • Meets PCOR standards
  • Addresses a kidney disease related research question that directly impacts the life of an individual living with kidney disease
  • Seeks meaningful patient, care partner, or living donor engagement

Trainings

Learn more about PCOR and how you can get involved. 

What is PCOR?

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research: Kidney Research Connect Training Webinar

Engagement Across Phases of Research

PCORI Engagement Rubric: Kidney Research Connect Training Webinar

Patient-Centered Research Explained, Plus Easy Ways to Get Involved

This webinar is designed to introduce patients and care partners to Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR), discuss the benefits and challenges of participating in PCOR, and identify the various opportunities to engage with researchers in their projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

   

What is Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR)?

PCOR focuses on outcomes that are important to people, including patients and caregivers. No matter the type of research, people who may have lived experience with a disease or condition “have a seat at the table,” informing researchers about things that matter most to those affected by the disease. This can include deciding what research questions to explore or what side effects may be tolerable in order to have a new treatment option.

   

Who can participate?

Anyone who is interested! Your participation will be as a member of the research team or advisory board, not as a research subject. Participation is voluntary although in some cases your efforts may be paid. Different studies focus on different things. Researchers may be interested in working with you based on your current or past experience with dialysis or transplant, the cause of your kidney disease, your age, gender, race, or other conditions. While not everyone will be the right fit for every project, there are many so don’t give up – continue to apply!

   

How can I be involved in PCOR?

There are many ways people can be involved in PCOR. Patients and their lived experience have unique insight that is valuable to every stage and aspect of the research process. Early on, patients may be asked to participate in brainstorming what the research question should be. They may also be included in multi-stakeholder advisory boards to oversee the project’s development and execution. Patients may also participate in creating summaries of the research findings that are easy to understand for other patients and their families. These are just a few examples of how patients can be involved in PCOR.

   

How can I learn what the study is about?

Every research study must have an action plan (called a “protocol”). The protocol describes what will be done in the study, how it will be conducted, how long it will take, and why each part of the study is needed. NKF’s Kidney Research Connect website will help make this easy to access and understand.

Questions?