Elsevier

Value in Health

Volume 20, Issue 7, July–August 2017, Pages 858-865
Value in Health

What Is Real-World Data? A Review of Definitions Based on Literature and Stakeholder Interviews

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jval.2017.03.008Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

Despite increasing recognition of the value of real-world data (RWD), consensus on the definition of RWD is lacking.

Objectives

To review definitions publicly available for RWD to shed light on similarities and differences between them.

Methods

A literature review and stakeholder interviews were used to compile data from eight groups of stakeholders. Data from documents and interviews were subjected to coding analysis. Definitions identified were classified into four categories: 1) data collected in a non-randomized controlled trial setting, 2) data collected in a non-interventional/non-controlled setting, 3) data collected in a non-experimental setting, and 4) others (i.e., data that do not fit into the other three categories). The frequency of definitions identified per category was recorded.

Results

Fifty-three documents and 20 interviews were assessed. Thirty-eight definitions were identified: 20 out of 38 definitions (53%) were category 1 definitions, 9 (24%) were category 2 definitions, 5 (13%) were category 3 definitions, and 4 (11%) were category 4 definitions. Differences were identified between, and within, definition categories. For example, opinions differed on the aspects of intervention with which non-interventional/non-controlled settings should abide. No definitions were provided in two interviews or identified in 33 documents.

Conclusions

Most of the definitions defined RWD as data collected in a non-randomized controlled trial setting. A considerable number of definitions, however, diverged from this concept. Moreover, a significant number of authors and stakeholders did not have an official, institutional definition for RWD. Persisting variability in stakeholder definitions of RWD may lead to disparities among different stakeholders when discussing RWD use in decision making.

Keywords

definitions
real-world data
real-world evidence
real-world studies
review
stakeholder definitions

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