Abstract
Background: The controversy surrounding the actual and potential use of clinical databases partly reflects the huge variation in their content and quality. In addition, use of existing clinical databases is severely limited by a lack of knowledge of their availability.
Objectives: To develop and test a standardised method for assessing the quality (completeness and accuracy) of clinical databases and to establish a web based directory of databases in the UK.
Methods: An expert group was set up (1) to establish the criteria for inclusion of databases; (2) to develop a quality assessment instrument with high content validity, based on epidemiological theory; (3) to test empirically, modify, and retest the acceptability to database custodians, face validity and floor/ceiling effects; and (4) to design a website.
Results: Criteria for inclusion of databases were the provision of individual level data; inclusion in the database defined by a common circumstance (e.g. condition, treatment), an administrative arrangement, or an adverse outcome; and inclusion of data from more than one provider. A quality assessment instrument consisting of 10 items (four on coverage, six on reliability and validity) was developed and shown to have good face and content validity, no floor/ceiling effects, and to be acceptable to database custodians. A website (www.docdat.org) was developed. Indications over the first 18 months (number of visitors to the site) are that it is increasingly popular. By November 2002 there were around 3500 hits a month.
Conclusions: A website now exists where visitors can identify clinical databases in the UK that may be suitable to meet their aims. It is planned both to develop a local version for use within a hospital and to encourage similar national systems in other countries.
Full Text
The Full Text of this article is available as a PDF (104.8 KB).
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Black N. High-quality clinical databases: breaking down barriers. Lancet. 1999 Apr 10;353(9160):1205–1206. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(99)00108-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Goldberg J., Gelfand H. M., Levy P. S. Registry evaluation methods: a review and case study. Epidemiol Rev. 1980;2:210–220. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.epirev.a036224. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Goldfrad C., Rowan K. Consequences of discharges from intensive care at night. Lancet. 2000 Apr 1;355(9210):1138–1142. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)02062-6. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Jarman B., Gault S., Alves B., Hider A., Dolan S., Cook A., Hurwitz B., Iezzoni L. I. Explaining differences in English hospital death rates using routinely collected data. BMJ. 1999 Jun 5;318(7197):1515–1520. doi: 10.1136/bmj.318.7197.1515. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Moher D., Schulz K. F., Altman D., CONSORT Group (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) The CONSORT statement: revised recommendations for improving the quality of reports of parallel-group randomized trials. JAMA. 2001 Apr 18;285(15):1987–1991. doi: 10.1001/jama.285.15.1987. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Pryor D. B., Califf R. M., Harrell F. E., Jr, Hlatky M. A., Lee K. L., Mark D. B., Rosati R. A. Clinical data bases. Accomplishments and unrealized potential. Med Care. 1985 May;23(5):623–647. doi: 10.1097/00005650-198505000-00020. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]