Real-world data (RWD) is the lifeblood of modern healthcare research, driving advancements in understanding and treatment. Yet, creating clinically meaningful variables—those that translate raw data into actionable insights—remains a significant challenge. Clinical researchers, data scientists, and biostatisticians often encounter inefficiencies and potential errors when building coding algorithms, risking data quality and delaying progress. At Aetion, we’ve built solutions to tackle these challenges head-on.
Aetion Measures, part of Aetion® Substantiate, established the foundation by enabling researchers to create precise variables with confidence through features like version control and pre-built templates. These foundational tools ensure transparency, consistency, and efficiency, helping researchers streamline their workflows. Now, we’re taking this capability a step further with the Measures Assistant (Beta).
The Measures Assistant (Beta) introduces an AI-powered assistant designed to simplify the most complex aspects of measure creation. Tailored for clinical trial leads, RWE team leaders, and epidemiologists, it guides users through intricate processes, making critical work faster and more intuitive.
The Foundation of Precision and Efficiency
Before diving into the transformative features of the Measures Assistant, it’s worth highlighting the critical functionality that underpins Aetion Measures in Substantiate. These foundational tools ensure that researchers can work with confidence and consistency, setting the stage for deeper innovation:
Transparent Version Control
Aetion Measures ensures clarity and reproducibility by tracking every change made to a measure and preserving earlier iterations. This transparency is critical for studies that evolve over time, as researchers adjust criteria or parameters to reflect new evidence.
For example, in asthma studies incorporating new biologic therapies, researchers can update inclusion criteria while maintaining a clear history of modifications. This ensures alignment with clinical guidelines and reproducibility across workflows.
Pre-Built Templates for Efficiency
Common metrics like re-admission rates or treatment adherence often require repetitive setup, which can drain valuable time. Aetion Measures addresses this inefficiency with a library of pre-built templates, enabling teams to quickly apply standardized methodologies.
In post-surgical recovery studies, for instance, researchers can adapt a hospitalization template to suit specific conditions or timeframes, ensuring faster analysis and consistent results. Similarly, complex drug utilization concepts such as stockpiling and adherence can also be implemented with ease using Aetion Measure templates.
Simplifying Complexity with Guided Measure-building Workflows
The Measures Assistant (Beta) builds on this foundation by addressing the complexities that challenge even the most experienced researchers. Defining complex variables often involves navigating intricate datasets, diagnostic codes, and logical relationships between time intervals—tasks that can quickly become overwhelming.
The Measures Assistant simplifies these processes with guided workflows tailored to creating variables with complex logical compositions. It enables users to start with natural language expressions, such as “I want to find patients with a diagnosis of diabetes and a subsequent metformin fill,” and translates them into measurable building blocks.
For example, cardiovascular researchers identifying incident heart failure cases can leverage the assistant to navigate sequence logic with ease, saving time and reducing errors. By streamlining the difficult tasks, the Measures Assistant lets researchers focus on generating actionable insights.
Empowering Users with Step-by-Step Guidance
The Measures Assistant provides step-by-step instructions for user queries, leveraging Aetion’s extensive knowledge base to ensure responses align with scientific best practices. For example, if a user asks, “How do I identify non-negative inpatient costs?” the assistant delivers clear, actionable guidance.
Built with a local knowledge base informed by Aetion’s scientific expertise, the assistant safeguards data privacy and avoids relying on client-specific measures or dataset references. Continuous testing and refinement by subject matter experts ensure that the assistant evolves to meet real-world needs.
Closing the Feedback Loop
The Measures Assistant (Beta) evolves based on the real-world experiences of its users. Feedback tools—like thumbs-up, thumbs-down, and detailed comments—enable Aetion to align updates with user needs. This dynamic feedback loop ensures the assistant grows smarter and more effective with each iteration, addressing the nuanced challenges of RWD management.
Collaborating Through the Measures Library
Collaboration is at the heart of Aetion Measures. The Measures Library empowers researchers to share and reuse validated measure definitions across studies, fostering consistency and reducing duplication of effort. Teams can build on a foundation of reusable measures, accelerating insights and enhancing efficiency across projects.
Whether working on a single study or across multiple projects, this collaborative functionality helps teams achieve their goals faster and with greater confidence.
Level Up Your RWD Management Strategy
The Measures Assistant (Beta) represents the next evolution of Aetion Measures, combining the foundational strength of version control and pre-built templates with cutting-edge AI guidance. Together, these tools empower research teams to navigate the most complex workflows, maintain data consistency, and deliver actionable insights with confidence.
Ready to experience the future of RWD management? Contact us to explore the possibilities and transform the way you work with real-world data.
Disclaimer: Measures Assistant and AetionAI are in beta. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.