Neural networks in outcomes research

Neural networks (NNs) are being used in the areas of prediction and classif ication of outcomes in medicine-areas in which regression models have tradi tionally been used. In this report, we summarize the steps in developing an d testing an NN. Through applications in clinical research, we present seve ral examples of NN development and evaluation, Through these applications w e show that the performance of the NNs matched or exceeded the performance of traditional methods. We then discuss the advantages and disadvantages of NN models in comparison to traditional regression methods.