Dr. Roger Chou is a distinguished physician-scientist and leading authority in evidence-based medicine and clinical epidemiology who has shaped national healthcare guidelines through rigorous scientific methodology. He currently serves as Professor in the Departments of Medicine and Medical Informatics & Clinical Epidemiology at Oregon Health & Science University, where he also practices as a Staff Physician in the Internal Medicine Clinic. After completing his medical education at Northwestern University in 1995, he pursued residency training at Oregon Health Sciences University followed by a Health Services Research Fellowship at the Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Chou maintains continuous board certification in Internal Medicine through the American Board of Internal Medicine and was honored with election as a Fellow of the American College of Physicians in 2010, recognizing his exceptional contributions to medical science and practice.
Dr. Chou's pioneering work in systematic review methodology has fundamentally transformed evidence-based clinical practice, particularly in the management of chronic pain conditions where his research has established new standards of care. As Director of the Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center since 2012, he has led numerous high-impact systematic reviews that have directly informed critical healthcare guidelines, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's landmark guidelines on opioid prescribing for pain management. His research portfolio spans chronic pain, musculoskeletal conditions, screening and prevention, diagnostic testing, and prognosis, earning him global recognition as evidenced by his #13 ranking in Public Health and #18 position in Low back pain research according to ScholarGPS. Dr. Chou's methodological expertise has been sought by major organizations worldwide, serving as Director of Clinical Guideline Development for the American Pain Society, GRADE methodologist for World Health Organization guidelines, and Coordinating Editor for Cochrane Back and Neck.
Beyond his research contributions, Dr. Chou has been instrumental in shaping national health policy through his service on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, where his evidence-based approach has informed critical public health decisions. He serves as a valued mentor for the Providers Clinical Support System, guiding healthcare professionals in evidence-based pain management practices while continuing his work on screening and prevention across multiple domains including HIV, viral hepatitis, prostate cancer, and diabetes. His extensive contributions to systematic review methodology and clinical guideline development have established him as a central figure in translating research evidence into practical clinical applications that improve patient outcomes nationwide. Dr. Chou remains actively engaged in advancing the science of evidence synthesis while balancing his clinical responsibilities and personal pursuits in running, rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking, and photography.
