HEOR · Outcomes Research
Outcomes Research
Outcomes research studies what actually happens to patients, the clinical, humanistic and economic results of care in the real world.
The methods and evidence behind it are central to the conversations at RWE Connect 2026 in Boston.
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The definition
What Outcomes Research Is
Outcomes research studies the end results of healthcare: how treatments and care affect patients in everyday practice, not just under the controlled conditions of a trial. It asks not only whether a treatment works, but what it means for the people who receive it.
It is the outcomes half of health economics and outcomes research, and it depends heavily on real-world evidence.
The framework
The ECHO Model of Outcomes
A widely used way to organize outcomes research groups every result into three domains, Economic, Clinical and Humanistic, together known as the ECHO model.
What gets measured
Types of Outcome Measures
Within those domains, outcomes research uses a range of specific measures to capture the full effect of a treatment.
The methods
How Outcomes Research Is Done
Outcomes research draws on a toolkit of study designs, most rooted in real-world data. These are the core methods, explored in depth at RWE Connect 2026.
Many of these designs are shared with observational studies and the wider RWE methods toolkit.
Real-world applications
Where Outcomes Research Is Applied
Outcomes research is put to work across the life of a treatment, from development through to the decisions that shape access and care.
The state of the field
The State of Outcomes Research in 2026
Outcomes research is being transformed by real-world data, digital measurement and a sharper focus on the patient. These are the shifts on the agenda at RWE Connect 2026.
Who is in the room
Who Attends RWE Connect 2026
A senior, focused audience of the people who design outcomes studies and act on the results.
Seniority is confirmed: 150+ attendees, around 60% at Director or VP level and above. The functional mix shown is indicative; confirmed registration splits are shared with sponsors from the live delegate list.
Explore
Explore Related Topics
Outcomes research is one half of HEOR and a core use of real-world evidence.
Sponsor RWE Connect 2026
Meet the Outcomes Research Community in Boston
The teams that design outcomes studies and act on the evidence gather at RWE Connect 2026: 150+ attendees, around 60% at Director or VP level and above.
RWE Connect 2026
Get the RWE Pipeline Report 2026
See the evidence trends reshaping how outcomes are measured and used, then meet the community in Boston.
- How RWE is changing outcomes research
- The rise of digital and patient-reported data
- Where outcome measurement is heading
Free. Instant download. No obligation.
Outcomes Research: Common Questions
What is outcomes research?
Outcomes research studies the end results of healthcare, how treatments affect patients in the real world, spanning clinical, humanistic and economic outcomes to inform better decisions.
What is the ECHO model?
The ECHO model groups outcomes into three domains: Economic (costs and resource use), Clinical (health results) and Humanistic (quality of life and patient experience).
What is the difference between clinical, humanistic and economic outcomes?
Clinical outcomes are health results such as survival or symptom control. Humanistic outcomes capture quality of life and patient experience. Economic outcomes measure costs and resource use.
What is a patient-reported outcome?
A patient-reported outcome (PRO) is a measure of health reported directly by the patient, without interpretation by a clinician, such as symptoms, function or quality of life.
How is outcomes research different from health economics?
Outcomes research measures the results treatments produce, while health economics values those results in cost terms. Together they form health economics and outcomes research, or HEOR.
What methods does outcomes research use?
Observational cohorts, patient registries, retrospective database studies, prospective studies, patient-reported outcome instruments and comparative effectiveness analyses.
What is outcomes research used for?
Supporting HTA and value assessment, regulatory and labeling decisions, payer and formulary decisions, clinical guidelines, product development and patient care.
How is outcomes research different from a clinical trial?
Clinical trials test efficacy under controlled conditions. Outcomes research studies effectiveness and impact in routine practice, often using real-world data over the long term.
What is health-related quality of life?
Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures how a condition or treatment affects a patient’s physical, mental and social wellbeing, a core humanistic outcome.
How does real-world evidence relate to outcomes research?
Real-world evidence provides the data outcomes research depends on, showing how treatments perform outside the controlled setting of a trial.
What is RWE Connect 2026?
RWE Connect 2026 is a two-day real-world evidence summit in Boston bringing together the RWE, HEOR and market access leaders who generate and apply real-world evidence, with 40+ speakers and 150+ attendees.
When and where is RWE Connect 2026?
14 to 15 October 2026 at the Hampton Inn by Hilton, Boston Seaport District, Boston, MA.
