An operational target trial emulation framework for causal inference using electronic health record data

Key Points

• The aim is to evaluate how electronic health record data can be used to emulate target trial designs for causal inference.
• Review of target trial emulation principles
• Assessment of electronic health record data capabilities
• Evaluation of trial specification and realization distinctions
• Identified constraints in EHR data affecting causal estimate identifiability
• Clarified conditions under which EHR-based TTE can yield interpretable results
• Outlined the importance of trial design components in emulation validity