Which are the Difference Sources of Medical Data Collection?

Sources of Medical Data Collection


Medical related research data can be collected from following main sources.

  • Census:

Census is taken in most countries of the world at regular intervals i.e. 10 years. In census enumerating all the Pearson's of a country and collecting information mainly based on demographic, economic and social. This data can be useful for medical research and mainly this data is used for planning, designing the schemes for different age-group related health issues and development of health systems.

  • Registration of Vital Events: 

It is also called as Civil Registration System (CRS). It is the recording of vital events i.e. Birth, Death, Marriage and migration under the statutory provisions on continuous and permanent basis. This data plays a critical role in public health, policy planning, and population studies.

  • Notification of Diseases:

A notifiable disease refers to any illness that must be reported to government authorities or health agencies by law. While the International Health Regulations specify the diseases that must be reported to the World Health Organization (WHO), individual countries maintain their own lists of nationally notifiable diseases that require mandatory reporting.

  • Hospital Records:

Hospital records are a primary source of medical data, containing detailed information about patients' medical histories, diagnoses, treatments, and outcomes of admitted patients in the hospital. It is mandatory by the law admitted patients record should be maintained for at least 5 years. Hospital record data is crucial for patient care, clinical research, and public health surveillance, providing insights into disease patterns, treatment efficacy, and healthcare trend's

  • Sample Survey:

Sample survey is most commonly used sources of medical data. Sample surveys are a foundational tool in medical research, providing the data necessary to understand health trends, inform policy, guide clinical practice, and address public health challenges. They enable researchers to draw conclusions that are representative of larger populations, making them essential for evidence-based decision-making in healthcare.

  • Research Finding:

Research findings themselves can serve as a valuable source of medical data. By analyzing the outcomes of previous studies, healthcare professionals and researchers can gather evidence-based insights that inform clinical practice, guide new research, and contribute to public health initiatives.