Inside Epic’s Rapid-Fire Research Machine

Original Article: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/inside-epics-rapid-fire-research-machine-2025a1000um9

How Epic Is Rethinking Medical Research

Epic Research, a branch of the electronic health record company Epic, is using its massive Cosmos database to conduct large-scale medical research studies. Instead of relying on the traditional journal route, which can often delay new findings becoming widely available, Epic Research publishes directly on its own website, making findings freely available and easy to read for both clinicians and the public.

The Power of Big Data

The Cosmos dataset draws from more than 1,800 hospitals and 41,000 clinics across the United States and beyond. This scale allows researchers to ask questions in a way that would be impossible for small academic teams. Because the data come from so many systems, studies may avoid some of the biases related to geography, race, and gender that can affect smaller studies.

Speed and Accessibility

Studies at Epic Research move quickly. On average, a question can go from idea to published report in about a month. The work is usually done by two-person teams, consisting of a data scientist and a clinician. The results are made available in plain language, which makes them more accessible than traditional research that can take months to pass peer review and may be behind paywalls.

Trade-Offs in Speed and Rigor

The speed and openness of Epic Research come with compromises. The research does not go through traditional peer review, which some academics see as a critical quality check. This raises questions about bias, oversight, and the potential for low-quality or misleading results. Epic conducts internal review, but the lack of external validation remains a concern. Some researchers worry that without external experts evaluating the work, the findings may not always be reliable.

Real-World Impact

Despite these concerns, Epic Research has already influenced real-world policy. For example, a study showing that few patients in overdose situations were tested for fentanyl helped prompt new laws in states such as Pennsylvania and Florida. 

Verdict: Complement, Not Replace

Epic Research is not intended to replace traditional academic journals. It offers a fast, large-scale complement to conventional research. Its strength lies in turning huge amounts of clinical data into timely insights. Experts agree that it should be used alongside more rigorously reviewed studies to ensure safety, accuracy, and trustworthiness.