New process coming for researchers requesting perinatal health data

Perinatal Services BC (PSBC) and Population Data BC (PopData) have reached an exciting milestone, as they have recently signed an information sharing agreement to incorporate data from the Perinatal Data Registry (PDR) into the data holdings at PopData.

Currently, researchers already utilize PopData to access linked data sets between the PDR and other PopData holdings on a project-specific basis. Linked data allows information on an individual from one data source to be linked to information on the same individual from another data source. Using linked data makes it possible to gain a more comprehensive understanding than could be obtained from either data source individually. This new agreement will facilitate a more efficient process, leveraging the linkage expertise and research management infrastructure at PopData. This means that researchers requesting linked perinatal health data need to submit their request to only one source—PopData.

Coming into effect early in 2015, this new process will improve data access and enable PSBC to focus on surveillance and analysis of perinatal health data. Research data requests that use only PDR data will still be managed through PSBC.

PSBC, an agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, provides leadership across the continuum of perinatal care in British Columbia, focusing on perinatal system planning, clinical practice standards, performance monitoring, and quality improvement. PSBC works in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, health authorities, and other key stakeholders. PSBC is the central source in the province for evidence-based perinatal information. Visit www.perinatalservicesbc.ca.

Population Data BC is a multi-university, data, and education resource facilitating interdisciplinary research on the determinants of human health, well-being, and development. It offers researchers access to one of the world’s largest collections of health care, health services, and population health data, and a comprehensive education and training service on how to best use those data. For more information, visit www.popdata.bc.ca.