nursing health services research unit 1 better data and innovative research methodologies: tools for...

Nursing Health Services Research Unit

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Better Data and Innovative Research Methodologies: Tools for

Better Global Health

Mary Crea-Arsenio, MSc.

Andrea Baumann, RN PhD

Mabel Hunsberger, RN PhD

Presented at 10th Conference of the Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery

Coimbra, PortugalJuly 23-25, 2014


Outline• Types of databases• Why databases are important• Innovative methods in Canada• How to develop a database• Conclusions• Questions

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What is a database?• A collection of data

• A method to store and manage large sets of data

• A tool to transform information to knowledge

• Two types: primary and secondary

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Primary Databases

• Result from individual research projects

• Include many variables and/or themes

• Can be used by other investigators to ask different questions


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Secondary Databases

• Housed at the provincial,national and international level

• Include data from a variety of databases

• Agreement on general indicators*

*standardized measures by which to compare health status and health system performance and characteristics among different jurisdictions in Canada…through quality comparative information. Source: Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). (2012). Health Indicators Interactive


Why are databases important?

• Support government decision-making

• Provide evidence of workforce trends

• Used to develop and evaluate policy

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Innovative Methods in Canada• Large databases:

– Population based databases– Health Professions databases

• Accessible and available• Open data:

– exchange of information across jurisdictions

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Provincial Databases

• Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care– Health Professions Database (HPDB)

• College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO)– Provincial nursing regulatory database


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CNO Registration Database• Annual mandatory census (total population of

nurses in Ontario).

• New graduates included as new members.

• Uploaded to provincial and national databases


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National Databases

• Canadian Institute for Health Information– Health Personnel Database (HPD) 27 health professional

groups– Registered Nurses Database (RNDB)

• Statistics Canada (Census)

• Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing and Canadian Nurses Association


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Developing a Primary Database

Objective: Develop a longitudinal database of new graduate nurse employment in the province of Ontario.

Methods: Longitudinal design. New graduate nurses surveyed annually over seven years.

Data Validation: Survey data validated against CNO new members data.


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Type of Data Collected

• Demographic data:– Age, sex, employment status, type of employer,

position in nursing, primary area of practice, and practice location (geographic region).

• Preferences data:– employment status– sector of employment– geographical location (urban/rural)


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Features of Database• Data is collected over time to enhance

health human resource (HHR) planning • Data can be analyzed independently or

linked to larger databases (CNO)• Database used to provide information to

governments for development of policy


Conclusions

• Different types of data exist

• Need for data is increasing

• Linking of databases valuable for decision-makers

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Contact InformationAndrea Baumann, PhD

Scientific Director Nursing Health Services Research Unit

McMaster University

Michael DeGroote Centre for LearningMDCL 3500

(905) 525-9140 ext. [email protected]

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