Case Studies

Clinical free-text data (typed notes from medical practitioners) is a treasure trove that constitutes 70% to 80% of health information, but often remains inaccessible for research purposes. Through our efforts at DataLoch, we aim to revolutionise health research, and ultimately patient care, by creating a pathway for data access which preserves patient confidentiality.

As part of our March 2023 update, we focused on developing a portfolio of lifestyle data – such as Body Mass Index (BMI) measurements and smoking status – in a format that can be more easily utilised by researchers. Through the example of alcohol-consumption data, we explain some of the new possibilities, as well as the difficulties encountered and resolved along the way.

In light of the COVID-19 crisis, in March 2020 colleagues from NHS Lothian and the University of Edinburgh asked the DataLoch team to help in the production of a dedicated COVID-19-linked dataset. This request was motivated by a need to support immediate hospital-based service management and to provide a foundation for active and anticipated regional and national research into the outbreak.