What type of research does the physician's review of medical records for MRI scans qualify as?

The physician's review of medical records for MRI scans qualifies as human subject research because it involves the examination of identifiable private information relating to individuals. In this context, "human subjects" refers to living individuals from whom data is obtained through intervention or interaction, or whose private information is accessed for research purposes.

When researchers analyze medical records, they often seek information about patients that can lead to conclusions regarding treatment effectiveness, health outcomes, or other relevant clinical insights. This process directly engages with individual patient data and, therefore, falls within the scope of human subject research. It is crucial to ensure that any data gathered respects the confidentiality and rights of the individuals involved, which is a fundamental principle protectively governing human research.

The other options revolve around different aspects of research practices or categorization and do not align with the nature of the physician's activities concerning medical records analysis. The activity does not qualify as exempt research since it involves examining private information rather than involving methods dismissed from more stringent oversight due to low risk. It is not classified as a non-research activity because it clearly aims at gathering meaningful insights about patient outcomes, rather than merely compiling data for administrative purposes. Lastly, while it could relate to case studies if it focuses on specific instances, the broader activity of