A Practical Guide to Use of Publicly Available Data Sets for Observational Research in Interventional Radiology.

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology Research
• Health Services Research
• Big Data Analytics

Background:

• Observational research using publicly available big data is expanding in interventional radiology (IR).
• These large datasets offer valuable insights into real-world patient care and IR procedure effectiveness.
• However, understanding the strengths and limitations of these complex data sources is crucial to avoid erroneous conclusions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review commonly used public databases for IR research.
• To highlight the strengths and limitations of these databases.
• To provide recommendations for the scientifically rigorous use of big data in IR.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of IR research utilizing publicly available big data.
• Analysis of common databases, their characteristics, and application in IR studies.
• Summary of methodological best practices for observational research with large datasets.

Main Results:

• Identification of key public databases relevant to interventional radiology.
• Discussion of the inherent strengths (e.g., real-world insights) and weaknesses (e.g., complex sampling) of big data.
• Presentation of best practices for planning and executing observational IR research.

Conclusions:

• Publicly available big data are essential for advancing interventional radiology research.
• Careful consideration of database strengths, limitations, and methodological best practices is vital for accurate real-world evidence.
• This review provides a framework for researchers to effectively leverage big data in IR.