Date: September 15, 2017

Introduction

AHRQ hosted a research summit on learning health systems (LHS) for a variety of external stakeholders to learn what AHRQ can do to address their needs. These stakeholders included representatives from large and small delivery systems, research organizations, Federal and State Government agencies, and others.  Watch a video with highlights of the summit and perspectives on learning health systems offered by key participants.

The goals of the Summit were to:

• Identify the aspects of learning health care delivery organizations and practices that are necessary to achieve better organizational performance objectives related to quality, safety, cost, and the workforce.
• Recognize the role of attendees in helping to create a learning health care ecosystem.
• Explore how AHRQ can act as a catalyst for the advancement of learning health care organizations and practices.

Gopal Khanna, M.B.A., Director of AHRQ, addressed Summit participants and expressed his strong belief in the power of data upon which researchers can base their work. Clinical data can support decisions, suggest options, and, along with insight, inform clinical practice leading to better outcomes. Health care organizations can provide leadership and culture. They must adapt, adopt, and apply evidence, and this should become systemic.

Summit Outputs

Shared Purpose

Attendees worked together to clarify AHRQ’s role in the LHS field. Through an iterative group process, the following shared purpose was developed:

In collaboration with health care delivery organizations, AHRQ will develop the science and provide tools and training to support creation and development of learning health systems that can generate, use, and share evidence and best practices to systematically improve patient care and health outcomes.

Top Five Proposals for What AHRQ Can Do To Promote Learning Health Systems

Through a series of co-creation exercises, attendees developed and prioritized ideas for AHRQ to consider in future work supporting LHS. The top five ideas as voted on by Summit participants included:

• Develop a business case for investing in LHS and disseminate to delivery system chief executive officers.
• Catalyze the development of a public commons in the form of a common data platform that accelerates sharing of data, tools and resources.
• Curate a guide to becoming a LHS with practical guidance and tools for health care delivery organizations.
• Accelerate the spread of evidence-based best practices across LHSs.
• Advance patient-reported outcomes and patient experience measures to support the ability of LHSs to pursue meaningful patient-centered improvement.

Learn More

Learn more about the Research Summit and AHRQ’s activities to promote Learning Health Systems:

• Video of summit highlights.
• Executive Summary: AHRQ Research Summit on Learning Health Systems.
• Supporting Learning Health Systems