What are the challenges in using EHRs for Epidemiology?
Despite their advantages, there are several challenges associated with using EHRs in epidemiology:
Data Privacy: Ensuring the confidentiality of patient information is paramount. Strict regulations like HIPAA in the United States govern the use and sharing of health data. Data Standardization: Differences in how data is entered and coded across different systems can affect comparability and integration of datasets. Data Completeness: Missing or incomplete data can bias study outcomes and limit the generalizability of findings. Interoperability: EHR systems often lack interoperability, making it difficult to combine data from multiple sources.
