PGI retrieves more than 28,000 medical case records for research, education purposes

Alongside, the digitisation of patient records is ongoing, with the institute building a digital data bank to allow researchers quick and easy access to older patient files. In addition, anonymised files are being shared with resident doctors for medical education and case discussions. The case records department plays a crucial role in this process by coordinating with various departments and ensuring that records are shared securely for research, education, and administrative purposes. The department also maintains data confidentiality and patient privacy.

The institute has taken constructive steps to modernise its record management system. Now, the process of requesting, tracking, and returning case files is being done digitally, making the system more transparent. A resident doctor from the Department of Medicine shared, “earlier, it took time to get patient files, but now the file request process has become much smoother. Utilising such a large patient database for education and research is a valuable resource for doctors and medical students, and it will also help in shaping future health policies.”

The diagnosis and treatment records help both research and studies extensively, and thesis and PhD projects can use actual case data, and researchers can look at patient data to compare new treatment protocols, with more availability of baseline data for multi-centre studies.

Sanjay Jain, Dean (Research), PGIMER, highlighted the institute’s research milestones, including securing Rs 109 crore in funding and executing 915 projects in 2023-2024. Jain noted that the Best Institutional Research Excellence Award 2024 at the DHR-ICMR Health Research Excellence Summit in New Delhi affirmed the PGIMER’s leadership in medical innovation.