ASSESSING OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES

Observational studies follow patients over time and can evaluate the of interventions on health outcomes
STRENGTHS OF OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES
D
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There is growing demand for comparative ectiveness research (CER) and how interventions
work in the real world. Yet there is debate about whether and when observational studies are
good enough to support decision-making.
LIMITATIONS OF OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES
M
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ENT DEC
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TIAL FOLL
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A
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MISSING D
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A
A HELPFUL TOOL
When done correctly, observational studies
can provide meaningful information; when
done poorly, misinterpretations are
possible. The Good ReseArch for
Comparative (GRACE)
Checklist was developed as a guide to
assess the quality of observational studies
and to help ensure that the information
used is credible and reliable.
GRACE CHECKLIST*
*This is an abridged version of questions in the GRACE checklist.
For more information, check out the March 2014 Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy.
DATA METHODS
Source: Dreyer NA, Velentgas P, Westrich K, Dubois RW. The GRACE Checklist for Rating the Quality of Observational
Studies of Comparative J Manag Care Pharm. 2014;20(3):1-12.