Infertility Information System with an approach to Data Architecture: A Systematic Review | Biomedgrid

Infertility is one of the major healthcare problems around the world. In order to provide infertile couples with appropriate services, it is essential to have an integrated information system for the management of infertility data. One of the most important aspects of this system is its data architecture so that relevant data can be properly managed and made available to users. The aim of this study was to determine data architecture components in infertility information systems including data sources, organizations involved in infertility care, data exchanges and datasets. In this systematic review the four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Embase) searched. Studies related to each of the various stages of designing, creating, and developing information systems and registries for infertility and assisted reproductive technology were selected. These articles were those published in English between 2007 and 2018. Findings resulting from 44 selected articles were categorized into four groups including data sources, organizations involved in infertility care, data exchanges, and datasets. The most important data sources are databases, paper forms, patient and birth registries, and vital records. Organizations involved in data management include producing and coordinating organizations. The main data exchanges took place between infertility clinics and national infertility databases. Provision of proper services to infertile couples requires a well-designed information system, which collects relevant information from different sources, and makes it available to relevant individuals. Data in this system are used to effectively treat infertility, assess the success rates and safety of assisted reproductive technology, and allocate resources.