AHRQ Electronic Newsletter, April 8, 2014, Issue #419

Register Now for AHRQ's MEPS Data Users Workshop May 5–6

AHRQ is hosting a free workshop on the use of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) May 5–6 in Rockville, Md. The MEPS Data Users Workshop is designed for health services researchers who have a background or interest in using the MEPS Household Component, which includes data from a nationally representative sample of families and individuals in selected communities across the United States. The first day provides a general MEPS overview on survey design, file content and the construction of analytic files. Emphasis is on health care utilization, expenditures and medical conditions. The second day provides hands-on experience in which participants can apply knowledge gained from the previous day's lectures by working with programmers and analysts with MEPS data. Programmers and analysts will be available to offer advice on constructing a MEPS data file. Participants will learn how to identify and pull together variables to build a data file to answer their research questions. To fully benefit from the second day, participants should have some prior knowledge of MEPS. A basic knowledge of SAS software is desirable, but not essential. A laptop computer is provided for participant use. Participants may register for and attend the first day only. Attendance on the first day is required for those who wish to participate on day two.

Registration is now open and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.