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. 2013 Mar 6;104(3):e258-61.
doi: 10.17269/cjph.104.3775.

Linking Canadian population health data: maximizing the potential of cohort and administrative data

Dany Doiron  1 , Parminder Raina, Isabel Fortier; Linkage Between Cohorts and Health Care Utilization Data: Meeting of Canadian Stakeholders workshop participants
Collaborators, Affiliations

Linking Canadian population health data: maximizing the potential of cohort and administrative data

Dany Doiron et al. Can J Public Health. .

Abstract
in English, French

Linkage of data collected by large Canadian cohort studies with provincially managed administrative health databases can offer very interesting avenues for multidisciplinary and cost-effective health research in Canada. Successfully co-analyzing cohort data and administrative health data (AHD) can lead to research results capable of improving the health and well-being of Canadians and enhancing the delivery of health care services. However, such an endeavour will require strong coordination and long-term commitment between all stakeholders involved. The challenges and opportunities of a pan-Canadian cohort-to-AHD data linkage program have been considered by cohort study investigators and data custodians from each Canadian province. Stakeholders acknowledge the important public health benefits of establishing such a program and have established an action plan to move forward.

Le couplage des données recueillies par de grandes études de cohortes canadiennes avec des données hébergées dans les bases de données administratives provinciales portant sur la santé peut offrir des pistes très intéressantes pour la multidisciplinarité et la rentabilité de la recherche en santé au Canada. L’analyse concomitante de données provenant d’études de cohortes et de bases de données administratives de santé peut conduire à des résultats de recherche pouvant faire progresser la santé et le bien-être des Canadiens et améliorer la prestation des services de soins de santé. Cependant, une telle initiative nécessitera beaucoup de coordination et un engagement à long terme entre tous les acteurs impliqués. Les défis et les opportunités d’un programme pancanadien de couplage de données ont été considérés par les chercheurs d’études de cohortes et les dépositaires de données de chaque province canadienne. Les parties prenantes reconnaissent l’importante contribution en santé publique d’établir un tel programme et ont mis en place un plan d’action pour aller de l’avant.

Keywords: Medical record linkage; data collection; public health.

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