Real-world evidence (RWE) refers to the information on health care that is derived from analysis of real-world data (RWD). RWE is increasingly used in health care decisions.

The career path to get into RWE is not set in stone, as it involves a combination of skills from different disciplines such as epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, computer science, and data analysis. However, below are some usual steps that individuals may follow:

[1] Education: This typically involves obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as biology, public health, epidemiology, or statistics. A Master’s degree or a Ph.D. in a related field such as epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or health economics is highly valuable. Also, acquiring knowledge in the field of data science or bioinformatics could be beneficial.

[2] Entry-Level Experience: This could be roles in clinical research, health services research, or other types of medical or public health research. This might also involve experience in data analysis or management, particularly with healthcare datasets.

[3] Mid-Level Experience: As one gains experience, they may start to specialize in areas related to RWE. This could involve roles in health economics and outcomes research (HEOR), pharmacovigilance, or clinical epidemiology.

[4] Advanced-Level Experience: Eventually, they may move into roles that directly involve the generation, analysis, or interpretation of RWE. This could be in a pharmaceutical company, a consulting firm, a healthcare provider, or a public health agency.

[5] Continuous Learning: As the field of RWE evolves rapidly with the development of new methodologies and data sources, continuous learning is essential. This could involve regular participation in professional development opportunities and staying current with the scientific literature.

It’s important to remember that this is just a general path, and many individuals may take different routes into RWE, leveraging their unique skills and experiences. For instance, some might come from a medical background, using their clinical knowledge to help shape and interpret RWE studies. Others might come from a more traditional epidemiology or public health background, applying those skills to the analysis of RWE. Some may even come from a data science or bioinformatics background, using their skills to manage and analyse large, complex healthcare datasets.

RWE is a dynamic and interdisciplinary field, so there are many pathways into it. It’s all about finding the intersection of your skills and interests with the needs of the field