Real World Data Standardisation: Current Status

Standardisation of real world data (RWD) is a vital component in ensuring the reliability and interoperability of healthcare data. RWD refers to data collected outside of a controlled clinical trial setting, such as electronic health records, claims data, and patient registries.

The current status of RWD standardisation is a work in progress. Efforts are being made by various organizations and initiatives to establish common data standards and frameworks that can be universally adopted. These standards aim to enhance data quality, facilitate data exchange, and enable meaningful analysis across different data sources.

One of the prominent initiatives in this field is the Observational Health Data Sciences and Informatics (OHDSI) collaborative. OHDSI is working towards developing an open-source data model called the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) Common Data Model. This model standardizes the structure and content of RWD, allowing for consistent analysis and comparison of data across different healthcare databases.

Another key player in RWD standardisation is the Clinical Data Interchange Standards Consortium (CDISC). CDISC develops and promotes global data standards for clinical research and healthcare, including standards for RWD. Their CDISC Clinical Data Acquisition Standards Harmonization (CDASH) provides a framework for collecting and organizing RWD in a standardized manner.

While progress has been made in RWD standardisation, challenges still exist. The diversity and complexity of healthcare data sources, varying data collection practices, and the need for interoperability between different systems pose significant hurdles. However, the commitment and collaboration of stakeholders in the healthcare industry are driving the ongoing efforts to overcome these challenges and achieve greater standardisation.

In conclusion, the current status of real world data standardisation is a dynamic process with ongoing initiatives and collaborations. The development of common data standards and frameworks is crucial for ensuring the reliability and interoperability of healthcare data, ultimately leading to improved patient care and outcomes.