Associate Professor of Epidemiology (Research)
The Outcomes and Economics Assessment Unit (OEAU) was founded in 2001 and is part of the
Brown University School of Public Health’s Center for Statistical Sciences. The OEAU is
directed by Ilana F. Gareen Ph.D., an epidemiologist. Dr. Gareen is responsible for the
design, collection, and analysis of patient-reported outcomes for clinical trials
coordinated by the Center for Statistical Sciences.
Patient-centered outcomes provide the patient perspective on the events that follow a
diagnostic test. For instance, the use of a diagnostic test may lead to additional
testing, changes in therapy, lifestyle, and similar types of outcomes. These may have a
positive or negative effect on a patient’s quality of life, emotional well-being or
economic status.
Patient-reported outcomes are increasingly important. Recent FDA publications have
illustrated the importance of patient-reported outcomes as measures of clinical
benefit. Our goal is researchers with the resources and expertise necessary to
design studies, collect meaningful data, and analyze those results.
I. Gareen
Most notably, OEAU research has provided a wealth of information on the American
College of Radiology Imaging Network’s large screening trials, including the “National
Lung Screening Trial” (NLST) and the “National CT Colonography Trial” (NCTCT).
Publications have included analyses of the impact of lung screening on patient quality
of life and anxiety, the cost-effectiveness of lung screening, patient preference and
satisfaction with colonography as opposed to colonoscopy, and the cost-effectiveness of
colonography compared with other screening modalities.