title: Applicability of large databases in outcomes research.
abstract: Outcomes research serves as a mechanism to assess the quality of care, cost effectiveness of treatment, and other aspects of health care. The use of administrative databases in outcomes research is increasing in all medical specialties, including hand surgery. However, the real value of databases can be maximized with a thorough understanding of their contents, advantages, and limitations. We performed a literature review pertaining to databases in medical, surgical, and epidemiologic research, with special emphasis on orthopedic and hand surgery. This article provides an overview of the available database resources for outcomes research, their potential value to hand surgeons, and suggestions to improve their effective use.
authors.affiliation: Section of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5340, USA.
authors.forename: Sunitha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Malay
authors.forename: Melissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Shauver
authors.forename: Kevin C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D003219:Confidentiality; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019992:Databases as Topic; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008484:Medicaid / Q000191:economics; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D018426:SEER Program; D014481:United States