title: [How do I evaluate and utilize information provided by observational study].
abstract: The strength of observational study is the utilization of large materials in order to evaluate the risk factors and prognosis of disease, rare adverse effects of treatments and their everyday effectiveness. Observational studies are, however, associated with a higher risk of bias as compared with randomized controlled studies. Whereas the effectiveness of individual interventions under ideal conditions must be resolved in randomized studies, the effectiveness of treatment chains under routine healthcare conditions can be assessed only through observational studies.
authors.forename: Piia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vuorela
authors.forename: Antti
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malmivaara
authors.forename: Jorma
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Komulainen
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jousilahti
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012107:Research Design