Advances, challenges, and future directions in trauma-related Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable (FAIR) data efforts

Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data advances are becoming more common and more important across research fields given the large amount of research data in need of synthesis and application. Many novel methods improve the efficiency and accuracy of data reuse, combination, and synthesis, which is necessary given that there are over 500 published randomized controlled trials of posttraumatic stress disorder treatments in adults; however, these methods are still relatively new to the field of traumatic stress research. We provide a brief overview of relevant FAIR data efforts from other fields and within trauma health care and research; share examples of trauma-related FAIR data efforts to demonstrate recent advances and challenges; and suggest potential next steps to continue making trauma data more FAIR. These topics were originally presented as part of an International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Pre-Meeting Institute organized by the Global Collaboration on Traumatic Stress FAIR Data Workgroup and conducted in conjunction with the 2024 ISTSS 40th Annual Meeting in Boston (MA, USA), titled, “How to Find, Re-use, and Share Data for Broader Impact: Practical Tools and Tips for FAIR Data.” Our discussion underscores the need for ongoing research and collaboration in trauma data science to enhance the effectiveness of interventions for individuals facing the challenges of traumatic stress and its comorbidities. Advancing FAIR data methods can serve as the groundwork for more efficient, accurate, and evidence-based health care for the field of traumatic stress research, advancing precision medicine and learning health systems approaches to care.