The PaTH network is an integrated research network between several academic health institutions across several states that has established an electronic health record (EHR)-based data infrastructure. This has allowed researchers to have much greater access to a specific population or disease category to study because electronic health data can be extracted across all health systems within the PaTH network. So, for example, instead of looking at 500 patients with a particular disease X at one institution, we can now extract EHR data on 5,000 patients with disease X by pulling EHR data from all health institutions within the PaTH network. The PaTH network is one of several Clinical Data Research Networks across the country, funded through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute as part of PCORnet. All CDRNs use the Common Data Model for standardizing electronic health record data for research purposes.

The PaTH to Health: Diabetes study, funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), is utilizing the PaTH network to examine if recent policy changes resulting in expanded health insurance coverage for obesity counseling has improved weight loss for adults either with or at high risk of type 2 diabetes. Since overweight patients are at highest risk for diabetes, improved weight management services could prevent diabetes and its negative health outcomes. EHR and claims data for over 2 million patients with or at risk of type 2 diabetes across states participating in the PaTH network will be extracted and analyzed to determine if receipt of obesity counseling has improved weight and diabetes outcomes. Patient Co-Investigators as well as a robust group of stakeholders are engaged in key research activities, strengthening the project through their expertise and lived experience.

Decoding the PaTH of EHR data: How it’s collected, how it’s protected

via a chocolate making analogy

Where is our health data stored and how can it be used to answer important research questions?

Each institution has a system for collecting health information, storing it electronically, and protecting it.

Each pod on the cacao tree represents individual electronic health records where patient health information is stored.

Several seeds are contained in a cacao pod. Similarly, several health data are contained in a patient’s electronic folder. The seeds represent a patient’s medical history.

Flip to learn more about the PaTH of EHR data

CREDITS Content DeveloperJennifer M. Poger, MEd

Editorial TeamJennifer L. Kraschnewski, MD, MPHErica Francis, MSEllie Hogentogler, BSBrianna Hoglen, BSTonyia ConeWenke Hwang, PhD

Directed ByHayman Studio

Animation ByElia Filippone

Hand ModelBrianna Hoglen, BS

PaTH To Health: Diabetes Study

Investigative TeamJennifer L. Kraschnewski, MD, MPH (Principal Investigator)

Jessica Yeh, PhDLan Kong, PhDCindy Bryce, PhDAnuradha Paranjape, MD, MPHRachel Hess, MD, MSSharon Larson, PhD

Project StaffErica Francis, MSBrianna Hoglen, BSJennifer Poger, MEd

Marketing TeamEllie Hogentogler, BSAbbey Kinard, BA

Technical StaffMatt Bolton, MHA Erik Lehman, MSBari Dzomba, MS, PhDNickie Cappella

Patient Co-InvestigatorsTreva Alston, MSCynthia BradleyAngela EvansMully Chea, MSJule Tice

StakeholdersChristy Boling Turer, MD, MScJennifer Carroll, MD, MPHLinda Dunbar, MDSerina Gaston, MEdLauren Hughes, MD, MPH, MSc, FAAFPA. Everette James, III, JD, MBAKristi Pier, MHS, MCHESStephanie Rovito, MPH, CHESLinda Siminerio, PhDErica Smith, MS

Primary Care ProvidersTiffany Gonzalo, CRNPRegina Jacob, MDRebecca Mancoll, MDTom Pozefsky, MD

This step ensures that all patient data is in a standard format, using standard language at a single institution.

The CDM organizes data from multiple institutions into a standard structure so that each healthcare system is speaking the same language.

Now you’re ready to dive into the treat, or for researchers, when they can dive into data, make connections, help answer important questions, and improve health outcomes.

The nib represents a specific disease or medical value being examined in a research study.

Once the crumb is formed by adding milk and sugar, there‘s no way to separate the individual nibs, or in our analogy, patients’ EHRs. This makes it impossible to connect health information with a patient’s identity before the data is stored and protected behind each network institution’s firewall.