CORE Seminar - December 1, 2025 - Dr. Maria P. Velez

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The presentation provides valuable insights into the use of administrative health data for reproductive epidemiology. The speaker clearly explains the importance of addressing confounding by indication and demonstrates how causal inference methods can be applied. The argumentation is solid, based on peer-reviewed studies and large datasets. She effectively uses examples from her own research to illustrate methodological points, such as the mediation analysis for endometriosis. The talk is well-structured and informative, offering practical guidance for researchers in the field.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is high, with reliance on established databases like ICES and BORN, and the use of validated epidemiological methods. The sources cited are primarily the speaker’s own peer-reviewed publications and key references like the JAMA study on gestational carriers. The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on leveraging linked administrative health data for reproductive and pregnancy outcomes research. No comments were provided for analysis.

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on leveraging linked administrative health data for reproductive and pregnancy outcomes research.

8/10

The presentation is based on peer-reviewed studies using large administrative health databases (ICES, BORN) and employs rigorous epidemiological methods. The speaker is a physician-scientist with relevant expertise. However, the talk is a summary of her own research program and does not provide full methodological details or external validation, so a score of 8 is appropriate.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 02:00Introduction and objectives of the presentation.
• 05:00Prevalence of infertility and IVF trends in Canada.
• 10:00Discussion of confounding by indication and methods to address it.
• 15:00Overview of ICES and BORN databases.
• 20:00Study on C-section rates across Robson groups by mode of conception.
• 25:00Study on preterm birth and spontaneous vs. provider-initiated birth.
• 30:00Endometriosis study and mediation analysis.
• 35:00Introduction to gestational carriers and recent research.
• 40:00Study on severe maternal and neonatal morbidity in gestational carriers.
• 45:00Conclusions and implications for future research.

• ICES (Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences) — Mentioned as the main data repository for Ontario's administrative health data.
• BORN Ontario — Database for birth and pregnancy outcomes in Ontario.
• JAMA study on gestational carriers (2023) — Cited as a reference for trends in gestational carrier use in the US.

• ICES (Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences) — The database used for the research is a well-established source of administrative health data.
• BORN Ontario — The birth registry is a reliable source for pregnancy outcomes.