title: Organizational context and taxonomy of health care databases.
abstract: An understanding of the organizational context and taxonomy of health care databases is essential to appropriately use these data sources for research purposes. Characteristics of the organizational structure of the specific health care setting, including the model type, financial arrangement, and provider access, have implications for accessing and using this data effectively. Additionally, the benefit coverage environment may affect the utility of health care databases to address specific research questions. Coverage considerations that affect pharmacoepidemiologic research include eligibility, the nature of the pharmacy benefit, and regulatory aspects of the treatment under consideration.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health Care Policy and Evaluation, UnitedHealth Group, MN008-W109, 9900 Bren Road East, Minnetonka, MN 55343, USA. deborah_shatin@uhc.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shatin
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004608:Eligibility Determination / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D005252:Fees, Pharmaceutical; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits / Q000191:economics; D008484:Medicaid / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D017891:Pharmacoepidemiology / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration / Q000592:standards