Understanding biases in electronic health records due to incomplete patient data

Biases introduced by filtering electronic health records for patients with "complete data"

NIH-funded research Harvard Medical School · NIH-10676899

This study is looking at how sorting through electronic health records can sometimes lead to unfair results about patients' health, and it's for anyone interested in making sure that medical data is accurate and helps doctors make better decisions for their patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionHarvard Medical School NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10676899 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how filtering electronic health records (EHRs) for patients with seemingly complete data can introduce biases in clinical datasets. By utilizing statistical modeling and machine learning, the study aims to analyze data from multiple healthcare institutions to identify the impact of these filters on patient demographics and health outcomes. The goal is to enhance the accuracy of EHR data by understanding the trade-offs associated with different completeness filters, ultimately leading to better decision-making in clinical settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include patients whose medical histories are recorded across multiple healthcare facilities.

Not a fit: Patients with a single healthcare provider or those whose data is consistently complete may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate patient data representation, improving diagnosis and treatment decisions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that filtering EHR data can lead to significant biases, suggesting that this research builds on established findings rather than exploring a completely novel approach.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.