Dahabreh & Bibbins-Domingo 2024 Causal Inference Interventions Effects -Observational Studies

Although well-conducted randomized clinical trials remain the preferred approach for answering causal questions, methods for observational studies have advanced such that causal interpretations of the results of well-conducted observational studiesmay be possible when strong assumptions hold. Furthermore, observational studiesmay be the only practical source of information for answering some questions about the causal effects of medical or policy interventions, can support the study of interventions in populations and settings that reflect practice, and can help identify interventions for further experimental investigation.