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. During the hands-on day, the participants will apply the knowledge gained from the previous day's lecture. They will work with programmers and analysts and learn how to identify and pull together variables to build a data file to answer their research questions. A PC will be available for each participant and they will also work on SAS example exercises. 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, STATA, or SPSS is desirable. Please note that the exercises will be conducted with SAS only.

There is no cost to attend the workshop.

A full program description, registration form, and logistical information will be available in the middle of March on the Workshops & 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.