Predictive modeling routinely makes use of a holdout sample to test the accuracy of the results. Figure 1 demonstrates predictive modeling. In SAS, there are two different regression models, three different neural network models, and two decision tree models. There is also a memory based reasoning model, otherwise known as nearest neighbor discriminant analysis. These models are discussed in detail in Cerrito (2007). It is not our intent here to provide an introductory text on neural networks; instead, we will demonstrate how they can be used effectively to investigate the outcome data.
Predictive modeling of patient outcomes