The Federal Role in Clinical Decision Support

Clinical Decision Support: Our Vision for the Future of CDS Connect

The rapid adoption of digital technologies has increased demand for robust Clinical Decision Support (CDS) ecosystems. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) identified CDS content gaps and, partnering with MITRE, created the free, open-source CDS Connect platform to support CDS implementation with emphasis on Patient Centered Outcomes Research.

As the initial project concludes, AHRQ launched a public innovation challenge exploring collaborative sustainability models. The Health Co-Lab developed and submitted a response titled "CDS Connector: Creating a Sustainable PPP by Incentivizing Innovation," which was selected as a Phase 1 challenge winner.

Embracing a New Model for Growth

We proposed an innovative Public-Private Partnership model ensuring equitable, sustainable growth of standards-based CDS artifacts while meeting contemporary healthcare community demands and addressing future needs.

A Novel Approach to Community Engagement

The core strategy employs dual-use licensing: healthcare providers, academics, and patients access CDS artifacts freely, while commercial licenses provide sustainable funding. This approach fosters clinical content generation and usage enhancement.

Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Functionality

The proposal outlines significant CDS Connect improvements including:

• Advanced interoperability
• AI-driven analytics
• Natural language processing
• User-centric design enhancements through phased technological advancement aligned with evolving user needs

Aligning Incentives for Comprehensive CDS Development

The model aligns incentives driving CDS artifact development in emergent, underserved clinical areas like Social Determinants of Health. CDS Connect would contract with and compensate organizations for developing essential artifacts, complementing rather than competing with established content creators like the National Comprehensive Cancer Network and UpToDate.

Governance and Community: Pillars of Our Vision

Strong governance emphasis includes diverse board representation and comprehensive community collaboration plans fostering ecosystem innovation.

Innovation as the Pathway to Sustainability

Financial incentives and AI technologies accelerate CDS artifact creation and enhance functionality.

Conclusion

Our proposal outlines sustainable CDS content growth paths addressing equity gaps and driving healthcare-wide CDS adoption through strategic incentives, technological advancements, and collaborative frameworks.