Observational Studies in Comparative Effectiveness Research

Course Description

Are you interested in diving deep into the world of health research beyond traditional clinical trials? Our course, "Observational Studies in Comparative Effectiveness Research," offers a comprehensive exploration of alternative research methodologies that are crucial in today's healthcare landscape. This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to understand, interpret, and apply observational studies in comparative effectiveness research (CER).

What students will learn from the course

• Identify and understand the characteristics of various types of observational studies
• Interpret and analyze results from observational studies
• Understand the application of health registries in comparative effectiveness research
• Gain insights into advanced analytical methods used in CER
• Learn about longitudinal data analysis and survival analysis
• Explore the analysis of medical cost data in observational studies
• Understand the connection between healthcare policy research and CER

Pre-requisite or skills necessary to complete the course

While not mandatory, it is recommended that students have completed the introduction course (CERTaIN.1x). This course is designed for those with a basic understanding of health research concepts and an interest in expanding their knowledge in comparative effectiveness research and patient-centered outcomes research methods.

What the course will cover

• Overview of observational data in CER
• Cancer registries and data linkage
• SEER-Medicare and other data sources
• Analytical methods for continuous and categorical variables
• Longitudinal data analysis
• Advanced methods in CER, including propensity scores and instrumental variables
• Survival analysis
• Analysis of medical cost data in observational studies
• Healthcare policy research

Who this course is for

This course is ideal for:

• Healthcare professionals seeking to expand their research skills
• Students in public health, epidemiology, or related fields
• Researchers interested in comparative effectiveness research
• Policy makers in healthcare
• Anyone interested in understanding the complexities of health research beyond randomized controlled trials

How learners can use these skills in the real world

The skills acquired in this course have numerous practical applications:

1. Designing and conducting observational studies in healthcare settings
2. Evaluating and interpreting published research for evidence-based practice
3. Contributing to health policy decisions based on robust research evidence
4. Analyzing complex healthcare data to improve patient outcomes
5. Conducting cost-effectiveness analyses in healthcare
6. Applying advanced statistical methods to real-world health data
7. Bridging the gap between research findings and healthcare policy implementation

Syllabus

Each module covers specific topics and analytical methods, providing a comprehensive understanding of observational studies in CER. By the end of this course, you'll be equipped with the knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to the field of health research and make data-driven decisions in healthcare settings.