Accessing health care utilization databases for health research: a Canadian longitudinal study on aging feasibility study.
ABSTRACTOne of the keys to the success of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) will be the leveraging of secondary data sources, particularly health care utilization (HCU) data. To examine the practical, methodological, and ethical aspects of accessing HCU data, one-on-one qualitative interviews were conducted with 53 data stewards and privacy commissioners/ombudsmen from across Canada. Study participants indicated that obtaining permission to access HCU data is generally possible; however, they noted that this will be a complex and lengthy process requiring considerable and meticulous preparatory work to ensure proper documentation and compliance with jurisdictional variations along legislative and policy lines.
McMaster Evidence-based Practice Center, McMaster University, Canada. praina@mcmaster.ca
Parminder S
PS
Raina
Susan A
SA
Kirkland
Christina
C
Wolfson
Karen
K
Szala-Meneok
Lauren E
LE
Griffith
Homa
H
Keshavarz
Jennifer
J
Uniat
Linda
L
Furlini
Camille L
CL
Angus
Geoff
G
Strople
Amélie
A
Pelletier
D000375:Aging; D002170:Canada; D016208:Databases, Factual; D015340:Epidemiologic Research Design; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008498:Medical Record Linkage; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data