📌 AIM-IMA – Belgium 🇧🇪

🔍 What is it?

The AIM-IMA (Intermutualistic Agency Database) is a nationwide real-world data (RWD) source in Belgium, collecting healthcare reimbursement and administrative data from all Belgian health insurance funds. This database provides valuable longitudinal data for research in epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, healthcare utilization, and health economics.

📊 Key Features & Scope

📍 Geographical coverage: Belgium 🇧🇪 (nationwide)
🏥 Data type: Claims and administrative data (reimbursement, hospital stays, prescriptions)
🕒 Time coverage: Since 2002, with continuous updates
👥 Population covered: Virtually 100% of the Belgian population (~11 million people)
🔄 Longitudinal data: Long-term follow-up across primary care, hospital care, and pharmaceuticals
📈 Pathologies: Covers a broad range of conditions, including chronic diseases, oncology, and rare diseases

✅ Strengths & Best Use Cases

🌍 Nationwide coverage – Captures real-world healthcare data for all insured Belgian residents
💊 Pharmacoepidemiology & drug safety – Valuable for studying medication use, adherence, and safety
📈 Longitudinal tracking – Enables patient follow-up across multiple healthcare settings
🚀 Health economics & policy studies – Supports cost-effectiveness evaluations and health policy research

⚠️ Limitations & Considerations

🏥 No direct clinical data – Focuses on reimbursement claims, lacks detailed clinical outcomes
📉 Limited diagnostic accuracy – Diagnoses are inferred from billing codes, not medical records

📚 How to Access & Learn More

🔗 Access: Requires research proposals to be submitted to the Intermutualistic Agency (AIM-IMA)
🎓 Publications: link to relevant studies
📄 More info: AIM-IMA