Observational Studies in a Learning Health System

Tomorrow morning, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in conjunction with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), will kick off its two-day workshop on the use of observational studies in a learning health system.

According to the IOM website, the discussion will focus on:

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Tomorrow morning, the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in conjunction with the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), will kick off its two-day workshop on the use of observational studies in a learning health system.

According to the IOM website, the discussion will focus on:

  • “Exploring the role of observational studies (OS) in the generation of evidence to guide clinical and health policy decisions, with a focus on individual patient care, in a learning health system;
  • Considering concepts of OS design and analysis, emerging statistical methods, the opportunities and challenges of OS to supplement evidence from experimental methods, identify treatment heterogeneity, and provide effectiveness estimates tailored for individual patients;
  • Identifying stakeholder needs, and the barriers hindering the broader application of OS-generated evidence for decision-making;
  • Engaging colleagues from disciplines typically underrepresented in clinical evidence discussions; and
  • Suggesting strategies for accelerating progress in the appropriate use of OS for evidence generation.”

To help you better understand the different types of studies that will likely be discussed during the workshop, we encourage you to check out our resources on common study designs, including randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, observational studies, and related CER concerns.