Current Use of Common Data Models in the Nordic Countries

Common data models (CDMs) standardize healthcare data to facilitate reproducible and consistent analyses, supporting decision-making in medicine and vaccine safety and pharmacoepidemiology. Despite their global recognition, the implementation and use of CDMs in the Nordic countries remain underexplored, particularly in the context of cross-national collaborations.

We aimed to assess the adoption, application, benefits, and limitations of CDMs currently used in the Nordic countries.

A survey was distributed to member research groups in the Nordic PharmacoEpidemiological Network (NorPEN) across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Respondents provided information on CDM usage, collaborations, and perceptions of CDM advantages and limitations. Descriptive analyses were performed on aggregated data, maintaining respondent confidentiality.

Twenty-two of 25 research groups responded (88% response rate), and 13 (59%) reported using one or more CDMs. Research groups in all Nordic countries reported using CDMs. OMOP was the most utilized CDM, primarily in academic settings. Nordic- and project-specific CDMs proved effective for targeted research, particularly in data standardization. Many CDMs lacked adaptability for pregnancy-specific data, while there was widespread use of CDMs developed specifically for linked mother-child data (e.g., NorPreSS, ConcePTION). Collaborative networks revealed the use of CDMs by research groups in the Nordics to support global partnerships.

The study highlights significant variability in CDM adoption across Nordic countries. While OMOP supports global collaboration, regional models like the Nordic CDM and NorPreSS align with local needs. Future efforts should address limitations in adaptability and interoperability to enhance the integration and utility of CDMs for Nordic and international research.