Measuring Utilization of Endoscopy in Clinical Practice
Abstract
The safety and effectiveness of endoscopy depend on the quality of examination, and there is increasing evidence to suggest that the quality of endoscopy varies in clinical practice. With increasing emphasis placed on measurement of quality and patient‐centered outcomes for endoscopy, there is a growing interest in collecting real‐life safety and effectiveness data. While randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remain the “gold standard” for determining the efficacy of interventions, they cannot provide information about the effectiveness and quality of endoscopy in real‐world settings. Administrative databases, clinical registries, and electronic health record databases are important tools that can complement RCTs for clinical outcomes research and quality improvement initiatives. This chapter explores the use of these databases in assessing the effectiveness and quality of endoscopy, looking for current examples of their use, and considering the strengths and limitations of each.