Neural networks in outcomes research.
Neural networks (NNs) are being used in the areas of prediction and classification of outcomes in medicine--areas in which regression models have traditionally been used. In this report, we summarize the steps in developing and testing an NN. Through applications in clinical research, we present several examples of NN development and evaluation. Through these applications we show that the performance of the NNs matched or exceeded the performance of traditional methods. We then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of NN models in comparison to traditional regression methods.
Azen
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Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles 90089, USA. sazen@rcf.usc.edu
Lapuerta
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D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D016571:Neural Networks, Computer; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*