BMJ  2004;328 (19 June), doi:10.1136/bmj.328.7454.0-e

Clinical databases are common, but need improving

Multicentre clinical databases exist in all areas of health care, but they are unevenly distributed and of differing quality. Reviewing 105 databases across the United Kingdom, Black and colleagues (p 1478) found that cancer and surgery were better covered than other specialties, and databases varied greatly in size, scope, geographical areas covered, and quality. Audit and research potential is not fully used, say the authors; considerable scope for improvements exists, which could be facilitated by a national support unit.

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Relevant Article

Cross sectional survey of multicentre clinical databases in the United Kingdom

Nick Black, Marian Barker, and Mary Payne
BMJ 2004 328: 1478. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]