Beyond RCTs: Real-World Evidence and the Future of Sleep Research (w/Dr. Ellen Stothard) [Ep.147]

Beyond RCTs: Real-World Evidence and the Future of Sleep Research (w/Dr. Ellen Stothard) [Ep.147]

From The DOC Podcast by DeLuke Orthodontic Coaching, LLC

March 12, 2026 · 1h 36m · Episode 147

About this episode

Dr. Ellen Stothard discusses her journey in sleep research and the importance of real-world evidence in clinical practice.

Episode Summary In this in-depth conversation, I welcome Dr. Ellen Stothard, PhD, a sleep researcher with expertise in integrative physiology, neuroscience, and data analytics. Ellen shares her unconventional journey from psychology student to sleep science researcher to clinical data specialist, offering a unique perspective on what "evidence-based" really means and how clinicians can become everyday researchers. Key Topics Covered Ellen's Journey From psychology and French double major to a PhD in sleep and circadian rhythms The famous "Camping Study" and how natural light synchronizes our bodies Why academia wasn't the right fit and finding purpose in clinical data Building Rebus Health: an integrative sleep medicine clinic Understanding Evidence-Based Practice What "evidence-based" actually means (and what it doesn't) The difference between correlation and causation Why negative findings are crucial but rarely published Real-world evidence vs. randomized controlled trials Research Methodology Demystified Small, controlled studies (N=30) vs. large observational studies (N=50,000) Understanding statistical significance and what research can (and can't) tell you The importance…

People in this episode

Host: DeLuke Orthodontic Coaching, LLC

Guest: Dr. Ellen Stothard

Topics covered

  • sleep research
  • evidence-based practice
  • clinical data
  • research methodology
  • integrative physiology
  • neuroscience

Keywords

  • sleep science
  • evidence-based
  • correlation vs causation
  • clinical practice
  • research quality data
  • statistical significance
  • observational studies

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Rebus Health

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