Standing Committee on Epidemiology and Health Services Research

Method of Working

The committee meets annually at the Annual Congress when the national representatives, together with other interested individuals, meet to discuss potential ideas and outline national areas of interest and concern. In addition, individuals within member countries propose ideas which may be worked up to a formal proposal. The chairman will also liaise with relevant individuals and is happy to receive suggestions for developing other areas for action.

Any proposals from the standing committee for funding have to be represented to the EULAR Executive at one of their thrice yearly meetings for approval. In addition, any proposals for courses are reviewed by the Standing Committee for Education and Training.

Many of the areas of interest of the standing committee overlap with those of other standing committees, particularly the Standing Committee for Clinical Affairs, in relation for example to develop criteria and other methodological areas in clinical outcome studies. There is excellent communication between the two standing committees and the choice of which takes the lead for a particular cross-standing-committee initiative is decided on a case by case basis.

Each proposal agreed by the Executive will have a convenor, who works with the chairman, developing the proposal and the budget.