OBJECTIVES: The research design utilizing real-world databases and the research design utilizing questionnaire surveys are two major pillars of the outcomes research design paradigm. These two research designs have different strengths and weaknesses and thus serve complementary roles in the field of HEOR. Recently in Japan, interest has emerged in linking real-world databases and questionnaire surveys to bring these two disparate research designs together and generate more comprehensive and patient-centric evidence. A targeted literature review (TLR) was performed to examine the evidence base for published cases of the hybrid research in Japan so far, as well as identify potential evidence gaps.

METHODS: Literature published in the last 10 years was identified by searching PubMed on June 13, 2024. The search strategy combined terms for database research with terms for questionnaire survey research, along with terms related to the real-world data landscape in Japan.

RESULTS: A total of 802 records were retrieved, with 33 records corresponding to research projects performed in Japan. Of these, 10 publications were identified for relevance to the research objective and included in the analysis. 4 publications focused on the use of a custom-designed questionnaire survey linked to a claims database. 2 publications described the research using data from EQ-5D and WPAI questionnaires linked to a claims database. 2 publications analyzed the health check-up questionnaire data linked to a claims database. 2 publications analyzed data from the national nursing care claims database linked to questionnaire surveys for nursing care facilities.

CONCLUSIONS: A significant evidence gap exists in the current literature describing the potential benefits of the hybrid research design in Japan. In light of the opportunities to engage in more patient-centric evidence generation in Japan, more research is needed in the future to explore and realize the benefits of the hybrid approach to the HEOR community.