Essential steps and practical applications for database studies.

As the information that is collected from health care encounters becomes more available, managed care pharmacy will have greater insights on the impact of pharmaceutical policy on patient outcomes. Database studies provide valuable information that depicts actual health care consumption and provides a tool to help manage the health care benefit. As compared with clinical trials, one of the strengths of database studies is that they are nonintrusive to patients and providers. However, the integrity of the data and any subsequent analysis are dependent on accurate and consistent coding practices at the time of data entry into the system. This article describes the 6 main steps required to complete a database study.