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Advanced Workshop on Propensity Scores for Pharmacoepidemiologists

Join us for a comprehensive 2-day workshop on modern methods for confounding control in pharmacoepidemiology. Designed for experienced pharmacoepidemiologists, this workshop delves into advanced techniques to address one of the primary sources of bias in observational studies.

Led by Prof. R.W. Platt (McGill University) and Dr. Thomas Debray (SDAS, Netherlands), the course covers the foundations and applications of propensity score methods, high-dimensional propensity scores, inverse probability weighting, and disease risk scores. Participants will also explore machine learning approaches for confounding adjustment.

Through interactive lectures and hands-on exercises using SAS and R, attendees will gain practical experience implementing these methods, equipping them with ready-to-use workflows for real-world research.

What You’ll Learn
Schedule
Day 1: Foundations of Propensity Scores & Advanced Applications
  • Introduction to propensity scores
  • Traditional applications: Stratification, Standardization, Adjustment, Weighting, Disease risk scores
  • Practical session (R/SAS) – Part I: Creating propensity scores, Stratification
  • Advanced Propensity Score Methods: High-dimensional propensity scores, Machine learning
Day 2: Bayesian Propensity Scores & Hands-On Implementation
  • Introduction to Bayesian propensity scores
  • Practical session (R/SAS) – Part II: Applications in weighting
  • Journal article discussion
  • Summary & Open questions
Key topics include:
  • Fundamentals of propensity score methods
  • Advanced matching, stratification, and weighting techniques
  • Addressing common pitfalls and challenges
  • Interpretation and reporting of results in pharmacoepidemiologic studies

Participants will leave with enhanced methodological confidence and practical resources to improve the rigor and transparency of their research. Whether you're refining your analytical skills or exploring new ways to address confounding, this workshop is designed to meet your needs and advance your understanding of propensity scores.