Insights into conducting audiological research with clinical databases

Dillard, Lauren K.; Saunders, Gabrielle H.; Zobay, Oliver; Naylor, Graham

Abstract

The clinical data stored in electronic health records (EHRs) provide unique opportunities for audiological clinical research. In this viewpoint article, we share insights from our experience of working with a large clinical database of over 730,000 cases. Under a framework outlining the process from patient care to researcher data use, we describe issues that can arise in each step of this process, and how we overcame specific issues in our data set. Correct interpretation of findings depends on an understanding of the data source and structure, and efforts to establish confidence in the data through the processes are discussed under the framework. We conclude that EHRs have considerable utility in audiological research, though researchers must exhibit caution and consideration when working with EHRs.

Citation

Dillard, L. K., Saunders, G. H., Zobay, O., & Naylor, G. (2020). Insights into conducting audiological research with clinical databases. American Journal of Audiology, 29(3S), 676-681. https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJA-19-00067

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 17, 2020
• Online Publication Date: Sep 18, 2020
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 1, 2020
• Journal: American Journal of Audiology
• Print ISSN: 1059-0889
• Electronic ISSN: 1558-9137
• Publisher: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: 3S
• Pages: 676-681
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1044/2020_AJA-19-00067
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/4355278
• Publisher URL: https://pubs.asha.org/doi/10.1044/2020_AJA-19-00067