Observational Studies and Registries
This course is part of CERTaIN: Mastering Comparative Effectiveness Research.
This introductory course explores observational studies and health registries as valuable alternatives to randomized controlled trials in healthcare research. While randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard, ethical or practical constraints sometimes make them unfeasible. Observational studies offer an alternative approach by analyzing existing data or monitoring patients' health status and treatment responses outside clinical trial settings. Through 11 comprehensive lectures, participants learn to identify key characteristics of observational studies, interpret their results accurately, and understand how health registries contribute to comparative effectiveness research (CER). The curriculum begins with an overview of observational data in CER, addressing appropriate use cases, potential biases, and data sources. Subsequent lectures explore cancer registries, data linkage methods, and the SEER-Medicare database. A significant portion of the course focuses on analytical methods, covering statistical approaches for continuous and categorical outcomes, longitudinal data analysis, propensity score methods, instrumental variable estimation, survival analysis, and medical cost data analysis. The final lecture examines healthcare policy research, comparing CER and policy research applications. Throughout the program, participants gain practical skills for evaluating and conducting observational research to inform clinical practice and health policy decisions.
Instructors:
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What you'll learn
Define and identify different types of observational studies in healthcare research
Understand applications and limitations of cancer registries and data linkage methods
Apply appropriate statistical techniques for analyzing continuous and categorical outcome variables
Interpret results from longitudinal data analyses examining changes over time
Implement propensity score methods to minimize selection bias in observational studies
Recognize when instrumental variable estimation is needed and how to apply it
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
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There are 11 modules in this course
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to observational studies and health registries in healthcare research. The curriculum begins with an overview of observational data in comparative effectiveness research, examining when to use observational studies, potential biases, and available data sources. It then explores cancer registries and data linkage methods, including their applications and technical approaches, followed by a detailed look at the SEER-Medicare database and other key data sources. The course devotes significant attention to analytical methods, covering correlation, regression techniques for continuous variables, statistical approaches for categorical data, and longitudinal data analysis. Advanced topics include propensity score methods to address selection bias, instrumental variable estimation to manage endogeneity issues, and comprehensive survival analysis techniques including censoring, life tables, Kaplan-Meier estimation, and Cox proportional hazards models. Additional lectures focus on analyzing medical cost data in observational studies and conducting healthcare policy research, examining the relationship between comparative effectiveness research and policy applications. Throughout the course, participants learn to recognize the strengths and limitations of observational research methods compared to randomized controlled trials.
Overview of Using Observational Data in Comparative Effectiveness Research
Module 1
Cancer Registries and Data Linkage
Module 2
SEER-Medicare and Other Data Sources
Module 3
Overview of Analytic Methods I
Module 4
Longitudinal Data Analysis
Module 6
Advanced Methods in CER I
Module 7
Advanced Methods in CER II
Module 8
Survival Analysis
Module 9
Analysis of Medical Cost Data in Observational Studies
Module 10
Healthcare Policy Research
Module 11
Fee Structure
Individual course purchase is not available - to enroll in this course with a certificate, you need to purchase the complete Professional Certificate Course. For enrollment and detailed fee structure, visit the following: CERTaIN: Mastering Comparative Effectiveness Research
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructors
5 Courses
Barnts Family Distinguished Professor at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Suarez-Almazor is Professor and Deputy Chair in the Department of General Internal Medicine at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX. She is Head of the Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology.
1 Course
Department Chair and Hubert L. and Olive Stringer Distinguished Professor in Cancer at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Dr. Giordano is Chair of the Department of Health Services Research and Professor of Medicine in the Department of Breast Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
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