An Open-Source Solution for Efficient Healthcare Data Management.

Abstract

Background: Data management software plays a pivotal role in healthcare, ensuring the organized storage, analysis, and scrutiny of vast amounts of data. EpiData, an open-source software, is a prime example of a versatile tool used in healthcare settings. This comprehensive article offers an overview of EpiData's historical evolution, functionalities, and practical applications in the healthcare domain.

Methods: The article commences with a survey of Epi-Data's evolution and its progressive transformations, highlighting its relevance in the context of open-source medical software. EpiData's noteworthy attributes include its user-friendly interface, data valida-tion, and quality assurance mechanisms. Along with its remarkable versatility in managing healthcare data through ".REC" and ".QES" file formats, are discussed. To underscore its distinctive features and advantages, the article compares EpiData to other data management programs. EpiData's adaptability and diverse range of applications are exemplified through its use in clinical research and healthcare data management.

Results and conclusions: In conclusion, EpiData is widely employed as a paramount open-source data management tool in healthcare. Its straightforward user interface and embedded safety measures make it an optimal choice for various medical and scientific projects. While EpiData excels in efficiently organizing and analyzing healthcare data, it does have certain limitations concerning advanced functionality and data analytical proficiency. A notable example is the successful two-day course conducted in India in 2013, focusing on quality-assured healthcare data collection using EpiData. A subsequent two-year follow-up study demonstrated the effectiveness of this training in knowledge transfer, offering the potential for integrating EpiData into medical school curricula and research organizations.