Which type of data is primarily used in electronic health records (EHR)?

The correct answer is structured data, which is primarily used in electronic health records (EHR). Structured data is highly organized and easily searchable. It is typically stored in a predefined format using specific fields and data types, allowing for consistent data entry and retrieval. For example, patient demographic information, lab results, and medication lists are often captured as structured data. This data can be efficiently analyzed and reported, making it invaluable for clinical decision support, data analytics, and generating healthcare metrics.

In contrast, unstructured data consists of information that does not follow a predefined format or structure, such as physician notes or imaging reports. While unstructured data plays a crucial role in capturing rich narrative context, it is not the primary type used for standardized data processing in EHR systems. Qualitative data refers to descriptive information that may not be quantifiable, further distinguishing it from the structured formats desired in EHRs. Lastly, raw data typically refers to unprocessed data that has not yet been organized or formatted, which is not suitable for immediate use in EHR systems without further processing into structured formats.