06 Feb Ophthalmology: Using Claims Data to Assess Eye Research

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Flora Lum, MD
Executive Director, The H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., M.D. Center for Quality Eye Care,
American Academy of Ophthalmology
San Francisco, CA 94109-1336

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study? 

Dr. Lum: This study anticipates the increased use of claims data for research.

The study recommends a checklist for authors to use in reporting claims data analyses, and discusses the advantages  and limitations of using claims data.

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected? 

Dr. Lum: There is variability in the methods and descriptions of claims data analyses, and as these increase in number and importance, its encouraged that researchers use rigorous methods.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report? 

Dr. Lum:  Clinicians are advised to look for sound methodology in  interpreting these claims data analyses.  Clinicians are also advised to use newer billing codes to identify disease severity levels and to distinguish accurately among different disease conditions.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study? 

Dr. Lum: Researchers should use sound, rigorous methods as identified in the study, and report with sufficient details so that readers are armed with the appropriate information to evaluate these studies.

Citation:

Use of Health Care Claims Data to Study Patients with Ophthalmologic Conditions

Joshua D. Stein, Flora Lum, Paul P. Lee, William L. Rich, Anne L. Coleman

Ophthalmology – 15 January 2014 (10.1016/j.ophtha.2013.11.038)

Last Updated on February 6, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD