BC Data ScoutTM: A New Tool To Investigate Datasets For Health Research

Introduction BC’s Ministry of Health (MOH) maintains many administrative databases with rich information and analytical potential. Researchers are keen to use these data for both discovery and applied research. Historically, limited views of data availability and populations therein have supported study feasibility. Therefore, we developed BC Data ScoutTM, a cohort browser. Objectives and Approach We developed a cohort browser service to provide information to researchers planning a study using MOH data. The objective was to create a tool that is simple to use, provides quick results and is free to users to encourage its use. A better understanding of the data available can improve study quality and expand the user-base by giving researchers access to information not previously available during the planning stages. The tool will be evaluated by examining the number of requests received and a user satisfaction survey. Plans are in place to expand into additional data sources and extend query sophistication. Results The BC Data ScoutTM online tool provides cohort information in the form of highly aggregated, approximate results to researchers planning a study. It was developed by the MOH, the BC SUPPORT Unit and Population Data BC (PopData) and was launched in February 2018. The service is delivered by PopData. BC Data ScoutTM offers province-wide information for query, is accessible to a wide group of eligible researchers, and has data availability from the year 2000 onwards. Four types of MOH data are available for query: hospital data; physician data; pharmaceutical data; and demographics. In addition to determining study feasibility, the aggregate reports also help to further refine a full data access request and provide enough information to complete and strengthen a funding application. Conclusion/Implications BC Data ScoutTM will be beneficial for researchers planning to request data. This preliminary information may increase the chances of meaningful research studies to obtain funding, and the production of relevant, high-quality research results. BC will be among the first jurisdictions across Canada to offer this type of feasibility service

The BC SUPPORT Unit Data Platform: Offering Data-Related Services To Researchers In British Columbia

Introduction The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and provinces co-fund local Units to increase the quality and quantity of patient-oriented research. These SUPPORT (Support for People and Patient-Oriented Research and Trials) Units include a prominent Data Plan component. The BC Plan is the result of collaboration between many organizational partners. Objectives and Approach A Data Advisory Committee comprised of eight organizational partners worked together for several months in 2016-2017 to develop BC’s provincial Data Plan. The Data Plan includes seven objectives; in general, the plan seeks to make additional data available for research, increase the speed and transparency of data access, and offer services to enable more efficient data use. The services resulting from the Data Plan are intended to improve support for the entire continuum of a research project, from developing a research question to analyzing the results. Several projects are part of Ministry of Health-led work developing a Health Data Platform. Results The projects initiated so far as part of the Data Plan include: • BC Data Scout\textsuperscript{TM}: an online tool that provides aggregate cohort information to inform research question development; • REDCap: software to support privacy-sensitive data collection and management; • INFORM: software to support data collection for complex clinical research studies and trials; • Direct Access: enables Population Data BC to access BC Ministry of Health databases so researchers have access to up-to-date data; • Streamlining: making the data request process more efficient; • New datasets: several projects that will provide new data sources, including patient experience and outcome measures and secondary use data drawn from electronic medical records; and • Inventory: an online catalog for all high-value and linkable data sets available to researchers. Conclusion/Implications The services and tools included in BC’s Data Plan will help researchers develop and deliver world-class research and inform important health care decisions. The patient-oriented focus of these services help to ensure that research is done in partnership with patients and centered on research questions that matter to them

In Memoriam: Rowland McMaster (1928-2013)

N/

The Constitution and the Courts

Production by Project \u2787 and the League of Women Voters on the U.S. Constitution and the courts. Before a live audience, moderator Sander Vanocur of ABC News leads of panel composed of Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson of the Wisconsin Supreme Court; Judge Robert H. Bork of the U.S. Court of Appeals; Chancellor Jack W. Petason of the University of California, Irvine; and Judge Patricia M. Wald of the U.S. Court of Appeals. Introduction by Nancy M. Neuman, president of the League of Women Voters. Richard B. Morris, co-chair of Project \u2787 addresses the audience followed by Sander Vancour. Members of the panel make five-minute statements followed by a discussion and then questions; Project \u2787 League of Women Voters Education Fund \u27The Constitution and the Courts\u27 Philadelphia, May 24, 1987 efc 5101F Backlick Rd., Box 1017 Annandale, VA 22003; Restricted use