BACKGROUND: The widespread use of risk algorithms in clinical medicine is testimony to how they have helped transform clinical decision-making. Risk algorithms have a similar but underdeveloped potential to support decision-making for population health. OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of predictive risk algorithms in a population setting. METHODS: First, predictive risk algorithms and how clinicians use them are described. Second, the population uses of risk algorithms are described, highlighting the strengths of risk algorithms for health planning. Lastly, the way in which predictive risk algorithms are developed is discussed briefly and a guide for algorithm assessment in population health presented. CONCLUSION: For the past 20 years, absolute and baseline risk has been a cornerstone of population health planning. The most accurate and discriminating method to generate such estimates is the use of multivariable risk algorithms. Routinely collected data can be used to develop algorithms with characteristics that are well suited to health planning and such data are increasingly available. The widespread use of risk algorithms in clinical medicine is testimony to how they have helped transform clinical decision-making. Risk algorithms have a similar but underdeveloped potential to support decision-making for population health.
BACKGROUND: The widespread use of risk algorithms in clinical medicine is testimony to how they have helped transform clinical decision-making. Risk algorithms have a similar but underdeveloped potential to support decision-making for population health. OBJECTIVE: To describe the role of predictive risk algorithms in a population setting. METHODS: First, predictive risk algorithms and how clinicians use them are described. Second, the population uses of risk algorithms are described, highlighting the strengths of risk algorithms for health planning. Lastly, the way in which predictive risk algorithms are developed is discussed briefly and a guide for algorithm assessment in population health presented. CONCLUSION: For the past 20 years, absolute and baseline risk has been a cornerstone of population health planning. The most accurate and discriminating method to generate such estimates is the use of multivariable risk algorithms. Routinely collected data can be used to develop algorithms with characteristics that are well suited to health planning and such data are increasingly available. The widespread use of risk algorithms in clinical medicine is testimony to how they have helped transform clinical decision-making. Risk algorithms have a similar but underdeveloped potential to support decision-making for population health.
Authors: Douglas G Manuel; Meltem Tuna; Carol Bennett; Deirdre Hennessy; Laura Rosella; Claudia Sanmartin; Jack V Tu; Richard Perez; Stacey Fisher; Monica Taljaard Journal: CMAJ Date: 2018-07-23 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Kevin Antoine Brown; Bradley Langford; Kevin L Schwartz; Christina Diong; Gary Garber; Nick Daneman Journal: Clin Infect Dis Date: 2021-03-01 Impact factor: 9.079
Authors: Monica Taljaard; Meltem Tuna; Carol Bennett; Richard Perez; Laura Rosella; Jack V Tu; Claudia Sanmartin; Deirdre Hennessy; Peter Tanuseputro; Michael Lebenbaum; Douglas G Manuel Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2014-10-23 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Douglas G Manuel; Meltem Tuna; Richard Perez; Peter Tanuseputro; Deirdre Hennessy; Carol Bennett; Laura Rosella; Claudia Sanmartin; Carl van Walraven; Jack V Tu Journal: PLoS One Date: 2015-12-04 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Douglas G Manuel; Richard Perez; Claudia Sanmartin; Monica Taljaard; Deirdre Hennessy; Kumanan Wilson; Peter Tanuseputro; Heather Manson; Carol Bennett; Meltem Tuna; Stacey Fisher; Laura C Rosella Journal: PLoS Med Date: 2016-08-16 Impact factor: 11.069