Using electronic health record data for clinical research: a quick guide.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Clinical Research
• Data Science

Background:

• Electronic health records (EHR) offer vast research potential.
• However, EHR data possess inherent limitations not always recognized by researchers.
• Real-world data from EHRs may not automatically equate to real-world evidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight key differences between EHR data and research-specific data.
• To identify common challenges in utilizing EHR data for research.
• To provide practical solutions and examples for overcoming these challenges.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of EHR data versus research-designed data.
• Identification and categorization of challenges in EHR data research.
• Case studies and worked-out examples illustrating solutions.

Main Results:

• EHR data differ significantly from data collected for research purposes.
• Common challenges include data quality, completeness, and potential biases.
• Strategies for data cleaning, validation, and appropriate analytical methods are crucial.

Conclusions:

• Researchers must understand EHR data's limitations to conduct valid studies.
• Careful methodology is required to transform EHR data into meaningful real-world evidence.
• This guide serves as a practical resource for researchers engaged in EHR-based studies.