title: Principles of drug literature evaluation for observational study designs.
abstract: Clinical pharmacists must often interpret and use data derived from observational studies when making clinical decisions and recommendations, answering drug information questions, and educating patients about drug therapy. This is the third article in a three-part series intended to enhance clinical pharmacists' understanding of methods frequently used in such research and their application to patient care. Principles for critical evaluation of published observational studies are presented. Issues of bias and confounding that must be taken into account when assessing the data derived from observational studies are explained. Finally, examples of applications in pharmacy practice are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Raabe College of Pharmacy, Ohio Northern University, Ada, Ohio, USA. k-shields@onu.edu
authors.forename: Kelly M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Shields
authors.forename: Natalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: DiPietro
authors.forename: Karen L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Kier
mesh_terms: D015982:Bias; D015986:Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000379:methods; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D019370:Observation / Q000379:methods*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards