Conducting record review studies in clinical practice

Clinical record review or chart review is a previously recorded data to answer clinical queries. Such a study can be used to answer specific clinical questions in a relatively easy and less resource intensive manner. But these studies may be constrained by the limited information retrievable and inadequacy of records. Various types of data sources may be available for conducting such reviews (like case charts, computerized registries, etc), each with specific strengths and weaknesses. The procedure usually consists of drawing up the research question, identifying the appropriate data source, devising a data extraction plan, extracting the data, checking for errors, data analysis, and appropriate archiving and dissemination of the findings. The ethical aspects in such studies primarily pertain to issues of informed consent and confidentiality. This paper provides a broad overview of how to go about a clinical record review, and serves as a ready reference for those who would like to undertake such record reviews.