Making science computable: Developing code systems for statistics, study design, and risk of bias

The COVID-19 crisis led a group of scientific and informatics experts to accelerate development of an infrastructure for electronic data exchange for the identification, processing, and reporting of scientific findings. The Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR?) standard which is overcoming the interoperability problems in health information exchange was extended to evidence-based medicine (EBM) knowledge with the EBMonFHIR project. A 13-step Code System Development Protocol was created in September 2020 to support global development of terminologies for exchange of scientific evidence. For Step 1, we assembled expert working groups with 55 people from 26 countries by October 2020. For Step 2, we identified 23 commonly used tools and systems for which the first version of code systems will be developed. For Step 3, a total of 368 nonredundant concepts were drafted to become display terms for four code systems (Statistic Type, Statistic Model, Study Design, Risk of Bias). Steps 4 through 13 will guide ongoing development and maintenance of these terminologies for scientific exchange. When completed, the code systems will facilitate identifying, processing, and reporting research results and the reliability of those results. More efficient and detailed scientific communication will reduce cost and burden and improve health outcomes, quality of life, and patient, caregiver, and healthcare professional satisfaction. We hope the achievements reached thus far will outlive COVID-19 and provide an infrastructure to make science computable for future generations. Anyone may join the effort at https://www.gps.health/covid19_knowledge_accelerator.html.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the development of infrastructure for electronic data exchange, specifically in scientific and informatics fields, to improve the identification, processing, and reporting of scientific findings. The use of new standards and tools, such as the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) and the EBMonFHIR project, is overcoming interoperability issues in evidence-based medicine. This effort aims to make scientific communication more efficient and detailed, ultimately reducing costs and improving health outcomes, quality of life, and satisfaction among healthcare professionals and patients.