The OHDSI Evidence Network is a global, open, federated research infrastructure designed to support large-scale real-world evidence generation while preserving local data governance and institutional autonomy. As participation in the network grows, there is increasing demand for clear, practical guidance on how to engage with the network—both from the perspective of data partners contributing data and study leads conducting multi-site research. This tutorial is structured as two complementary 2-hour sessions, designed to align expectations across the network and reduce friction in federated research.
Session 1: Participating in the Evidence Network as a Data Partner (2 hours)
This session is intended for data custodians, analysts, and institutional stakeholders at organizations with OMOP CDM–mapped data. Topics include:
– An overview of the Evidence Network’s federated, opt-in operating model
– How to communicate the value and return on investment of participation to institutional leadership
– Common governance and oversight considerations (e.g., IRB review, data sharing boundaries)
– What participation in a network study entails, including roles, responsibilities, and timelines
– How data partners engage with feasibility, execution, and iterative study runs
– The goal of this session is to equip data partners with a clear understanding of how and why to participate, and what to expect when engaging in network studies.
Session 2: Conducting Studies Through the Evidence Network as a Study Lead (2 hours)
This session is intended for investigators and methodologists interested in leading or coordinating federated studies. Topics include:
– Designing studies suitable for federated execution
– The Evidence Network study lifecycle, from idea through synthesis
– Roles and responsibilities of study leads, data partners, and coordinating teams
– Execution, QA/QC, and managing cross-site variability
– Synthesizing and publishing results from multi-site studies
Learning Outcomes
Across both sessions, participants will gain a shared mental model of how the Evidence Network operates, practical guidance for participation or leadership, and tools to support high-quality federated research within the OHDSI community.