Emulating a target trial for observational studies

Casual questions in randomized trials can be answered by randomizing participants to treatment and defining a clear follow-up period. Emulating a target trial is an approach to answer a causal question in observational studies through careful consideration of inclusion criteria, confounding bias, and index time (=start of follow-up period).

In this presentation, we introduce concepts, discuss challenges in both scenarios (randomized trial or observational study), including the “immortal time bias” and approaches to statistical analyses in an example regarding efficacy of a drug treatment.

*This seminar is available for RECR Credit, 1 Hour. Attendance will be verified and a survey must be completed afterwards with well thought out responses to receive RECR Credit.