The use of data from observational studies has a long tradition in epidemiological research. A series of complex study designs and analysis procedures, such as propensity score methods, have been developed to answer epidemiological research questions. In recent years, the use of observational data – often incorrectly and misleadingly equated with ‘real-world data’ or ‘real-world evidence’ – has also been increasingly called for to answer research questions of benefit assessments.
This raises the question of the trustworthiness of data from observational studies, as these are often not collected and analysed according to a strict study protocol, which is common procedure in randomized trials. Together with experts from universities, research institutions, industry, regulatory authorities and HTA institutions, we would like to discuss which criteria are important for the credibility and trustworthiness of observational data.
The "IQWiG in Dialogue" event, which is now taking place for the 15th time, offers the opportunity on 24 June 2025 to exchange experiences from working with registry data, discuss assessment criteria and application examples, for example from regulatory research, get to know concepts such as target trial emulation better, and explore their potential.
Registration is now open. Unlike in previous years, this time the Institute is hosting the event on its own premises: a good opportunity to get to know IQWiG's new location at Deutzer Hafen.
Please note: the event is in German.