Abstract
Background/Aims Systems that lower technical barriers todata access are generally viewed positively. After all,why tie up programmer resources when a simple web-basedquery system like I2B2 makes complex queryingstraightforward? Quick and painless summary information isvery useful for research.The downside is that easy data access means the potentialfor abuse increases. Currently, programmers serve asgatekeepers. Programs and meeting notes serve asrudimentary audits of who asks what questions of our data.Easy data access gives the impression that no knows and noone is looking at the queries.Group Health Research Institute has created an I2B2 queryaudit system to serve two functions. First, users know thesystem is tracking their queries. Second, in the eventthat sensitive data are disclosed, the audit system mayallow stakeholders to determine who was responsible.
Methods This presentation will demonstrate a querytracking system that exploits the XML capabilities of I2B2.
Results The presentation will cover the technical aspectsof XML and associated technologies and provide an overviewof web-based technologies including Apache and PHP. We will conclude by raising some interesting questionsrelated to query tracking. For example, if we agree thatquery tracking is a good idea, we must then consider whohas access to the queries. Should we be concerned aboutsomeone taking our ideas and getting a jump on a grant application?
Conclusions Query tracking is a technical problem thatcan be solved. This presentation illustrates one approach.However, query tracking raises many questions that must beaddressed as we embrace easy access data systems suchas I2B2.
