期刊名称：International Journal of Population Data Science
电子版ISSN：2399-4908
出版年度：2018
卷号：3
期号：2
页码：1-1
DOI：10.23889/ijpds.v3i2.540
出版社：Swansea University
摘要：BackgroundInterrogation of electronic health record databases often involves time-consuming, manual, repetitive work in developing database queries. We developed a tool to automate this process. MethodsWe identified elementary approaches to query primary care data from the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage databank of Wales. We designed a web-based query builder that allows using combinations of these approaches as ‘building blocks’ to query complex variables. We created an R programme to automatically generate and execute the corresponding Structured Query Language queries. ResultsThe tool allows data extraction using combinations of the following methods: event count (e.g., asthma prescriptions); code/date of earliest/latest event; code/date/value of the event of maximum/minimum value; and frequency of temporally constrained events. Query intervals could be fixed, dynamic, or individualised. The tool integrates with a codeset repository. Data extraction procedures and codesets are saved on a web server as versioned, shareable, and citable objects. ConclusionThis versatile tool allows rapid and complex data extraction with minimal to no programming skills, reduces human errors, and improves research transparency and reproducibility. Funding/SupportHealth and Care Research Wales, ABMU Health Board, AUKCAR (AUK-AC-2012-01), Farr Institute of Health Informatics Research (MR/K006525/1-MR/K007017/1).
