Use of observational databases (registries) in research

Abstract

The outcomes and costs associated with medical care are critical issues for society. Interventions, treatments, and health care providers are required to be both effective and cost-effective. More and more the cumulative effects of disease, treatment, and outcome are becoming the standard for evaluation of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Although randomized clinical trials are the gold standard for comparing alternative treatments, results may not be generalizable to usual clinical care nor reflect treatment effectiveness in community practice. The discrepancy between clinical trials and studies of actual effectiveness has been pointed out a number of times over more than 30 years. © 2007 Humana Press Inc.