Using natural experiments to evaluate population health interventions

posted on 27 October, 2009 by peter

PHSRN/MRC Methodology Research Panel workshop, Kings Fund, 21 January 2010 - report now available

Natural experiments are often advocated as a solution to the problems of evaluating interventions that may not be amenable to planned experments, such as randomised controlled trials. They have been used successfully to answer important questions in epidemiology, but are we clear about their strengths and limitations as a tool for evaluating interventions?  Together with the MRC Methodology Research Panel, the PHSRN sponsored a workshop to review existing experience of using natural experiments to evaluate population health interventions, examine the practical and methodological issues, and consider whether new guidance would be useful. For the report of the workshop and copies of the presentations, please go to the activities page.

published in: by peter