ICFHS researchers lead methods paper providing practical guidance to strengthen the rigour and policy relevance of real-world data studies

ICFHS researchers Dr Jialing Lin and Professor Patricia Davidson, in collaboration with Associate Professor Michael Falster and Associate Professor Tim Dobbins from the School of Population Health, Dr Anurika P. De Silva (University of Melbourne), Dr Yuling Chen (Johns Hopkins School of Nursing), Dr Zeyu Zhang (Tsinghua University), and Professor Yingjuan Cao (Shandong University), have published an invited methods paper in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.

The paper provides practical guidance to enhance the methodological rigour and policy relevance of real-world data studies. It outlines key considerations for the design, analysis and interpretation of real-world data to ensure findings are robust, transparent and decision-relevant. The authors also highlight the importance of improved data linkage and more integrated digital health systems to reduce fragmentation in care. Strengthening these foundations is essential for generating reliable evidence to inform health system planning, policy development and clinical practice.