Traditionally, data collection in epidemiology relied heavily on manual entry and paper-based systems. Today, the advent of electronic health records (EHRs) and mobile health (mHealth) technologies has revolutionized data collection. These technologies allow for real-time data gathering, improving the accuracy and timeliness of information. For instance, wearable devices can monitor patient vitals and automatically upload data to cloud-based systems, enabling continuous and comprehensive health monitoring.
