---
title: Using Instrumental Variables to Address Bias from Unobserved Confounders.
description: >-
  Explore this publication on real-world evidence: Using Instrumental Variables
  to Address Bias from Unobserved Confounders..
date: '2019-01-01'
category: Publications
tags:
  - M Alan Brookhart
  - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
  - Approval & Commercialization
  - 'Yes'
  - Duke University School of Medicine
  - Oral Presentation
  - Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center
  - R&D
canonical_url: >-
  https://www.headwaterscience.com/resources/publications/author-m-alan-brookhart/using-instrumental-variables-to-address-bias-from/
source: Headwater
license: © 2026 Headwater. All rights reserved.
slug: using-instrumental-variables-to-address-bias-from
id: 4BEMk7kGJSOlPeOfSIV7jH
contentType: article
---

## Challenge

Instrumental variable methods offer the potential to address unobserved confounding in observational studies, but their application, assumptions, and interpretation in comparative safety and effectiveness research were not accessible to a general clinical audience.

## Solution

Target RWE's scientific advisor Alan Brookhart co-authored a JAMA Guide to Statistics and Methods on instrumental variable analysis, providing a non-technical accessible introduction to IV principles, assumptions, and interpretation.

## Use Cases/Links

[Read the publication](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2732940)