Ethical issues in pharmacoepidemiologic research using Saskatchewan administrative health care utilization data

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Data Management
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Administrative health care utilization data provides valuable insights for research.
• Accessing and linking diverse data sources presents unique challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the procedures for accessing Saskatchewan's administrative health care utilization data.
• To identify and discuss the ethical considerations associated with data access.

Main Methods:

• Describes data acquisition for studies on drug use and aplastic anemia.
• Details the linkage of prescription drug, hospitalization, physician services, and cancer registration data.
• Includes integration with hospital charts, physician records, and death registrations.

Main Results:

• Saskatchewan data files allow access to anonymized individual patient data.
• External data from hospitals, physicians, and death registries are accessible.
• Data that could identify individuals or physicians, or is indirectly relevant, is provided in aggregate form.

Conclusions:

• Accessing Saskatchewan health data files and linked external information is typically uncomplicated.
• Specific restrictions on data release are applied and documented.