Rethinking Clinical Trials: A Living Textbook of Pragmatic Clinical Trials
Welcome to the Living Textbook of pragmatic clinical trials, a collection of knowledge from the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory. Pragmatic clinical trials present an opportunity to efficiently generate high-quality evidence to inform medical decision-making. However, these trials pose different challenges than traditional clinical trials. The Living Textbook reflects a collection of special considerations and best practices in the design, conduct, and reporting of pragmatic clinical trials.
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NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory?
What is a
pragmatic clinical trial?
Training Resources
Featured
Registration Open for Pragmatic Trials Workshop at 47th Annual SCT Meeting
On May 17, 2026, the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory will host a half-day workshop entitled "Innovations in Embedded Pragmatic Clinical Trials." It will take place ahead of the 47th Annual Meeting of the Society for Clinical Trials and will introduce concepts in the design, conduct, and implementation of PCTs embedded in healthcare systems.
Don't Miss All-New Episodes of the NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory Podcast
The NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory Podcast broadcasts engaging discussions on timely issues in the field of pragmatic clinical trials. Tune in monthly for fresh insights from Grand Rounds speakers, representatives from NIH Collaboratory Trials, and thought leaders within the NIH Collaboratory and broader research community.
Subscribe for free on Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, or SoundCloud.
NIH COLLABORATORY TRIALS
Pragmatic clinical trials that address questions of major public health importance and provide proof of concept for innovative pragmatic research designs.
CORES
Working groups that support the conduct of NIH Collaboratory Trials and generate guidance addressing implementation challenges.
DISTRIBUTED RESEARCH NETWORK
Network enabling investigators to collaborate in the use of electronic health data while safeguarding protected health information.
Upcoming Learning Opportunities
Grand Rounds April 10, 2026: Impact of Behavioral Science-Based Electronic Health Record Tools on Deprescribing for Older Adults (Julie Lauffenburger, PharmD, PhD)
April 10 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pmGrand Rounds April 17, 2026: Keeping a Human in the Loop: Scientific Publishing and AI (Roy Perlis, MD, MSc)
April 17 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pmGrand Rounds April 24, 2026: Key Insights From the UG3, Personalized Auricular Point Acupressure for Chronic Pain Self-Management in Rural Populations, and the Path Forward for the UH3 (Jennifer Kawi, PhD, MSN, FNP-BC, CNE, FAAN; Hulin Wu, PhD, MS; Jane Bolin, PhD, JD, RN)
April 24 @ 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
NEWS
- April 8, 2026: Behavioral Science-Based Electronic Health Record Tools, in This Week’s Rethinking Clinical Trials Grand RoundsIn this Friday’s Rethinking Clinical Trials Grand Rounds, Julie Lauffenburger of Harvard Medical School will present on the “Impact of Behavioral Science-Based Electronic Health Record Tools on Deprescribing for Older ...
- April 7, 2026: Enrollment Begins for AIM-CP and RAMP Pragmatic TrialsTwo of the NIH Collaboratory Trials began enrollment last week. Congratulations to the study teams from AIM-CP and RAMP for reaching this important project milestone! AIM-CP (Adapting and Implementing a Nurse ...
- April 6, 2026: NIH Invites Feedback on Framework for 2027-2031 Strategic PlanThe NIH issued a request for information inviting feedback on the Framework for the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2027-2031. The purpose of the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan is to communicate ...