Save the Date for MEPS Data Users' Workshop

Save the Date for MEPS Data Users' Workshop

SAVE THE DATE

AHRQ will be conducting a two-day hands-on MEPS Data Users’ Workshop in Rockville, MD, on September 22-23, 2014.

Day 1 of this workshop will consist of lectures designed to provide a general overview of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) including information about survey design, file content, and the construction of analytic files. Particular emphasis will be on health care utilization, expenditures, and medical conditions.

Day 2 of the workshop is intended to give hands-on experience to participants. A laptop computer will be provided to each participant. The participants will apply the knowledge gained from the previous day's lectures and work with programmers and analysts on MEPS data. They will learn how to identify and pull together variables to build a data file to answer their research questions. Sample SAS exercises will be demonstrated. There will be time allotted for open discussion and for answering specific research questions from participants. To fully benefit from the second day, participants should have some prior knowledge of MEPS. A basic knowledge of SAS is desirable, but not essential.

The workshop is offered free of charge.

A full program description, registration form, and logistical information will be available by the last week of July on theWorkshops & Events page of the MEPS Web site at http://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/about_meps/workshops_events.jsp.

For any other questions, email workshopinfo@ahrq.hhs.gov.

In addition to the MEPS workshop, AHRQ will be offering a one-day workshop on HCUP on September 24^th. This provides an excellent opportunity to those who would like to attend workshops for both data sources. A separate registration is needed to attend each workshop. Registration for the HCUP workshop will also open at the end of July. To register for the HCUP workshop, please visit: http://www.hcup-us.ahrq.gov/.