Linked health data for pharmacovigilance in children: Perceived legal and ethical issues for stakeholders and data guardians

Yvonne Marina Hopf, Christine M Bond, Jill J Francis, John Haughney, Peter J Helms

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Objective
The inclusion of the Community Health Index (CHI) in the recording of National Health Service (NHS) contacts in Scotland facilitates national linkage of data such as prescribing and healthcare utilization. This linkage could be the basis for identification of adverse drug reactions. The aim of this paper is to report the views of healthcare professionals on data sharing, ownership, and the legal and other applicable frameworks relevant to linkage of routinely collected paediatric healthcare data.
Design
Qualitative study using semi-structured face-to-face interviews addressing the study aims.
Participants
Purposive sample of professional stakeholders (n=25) including experts on ethics, data protection, pharmacovigilance, data linkage, legal issues, and prescribing. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed using a framework approach.
Results
Participants identified existing data sharing systems in the UK. Access to healthcare data should be approved by the data owners. The definition of data ownership and associated legal responsibilities for linked healthcare data were seen as important to ensure accountability for the use of linked data. Yet data owners were seen as facilitators of the proposed data linkage. Twelve frameworks (legal, regulatory and governance) applicable to the linkage of healthcare data were identified.
Conclusion
A large number of potentially relevant legal and regulatory frameworks were identified. Ownership of the linked data was seen as an extension of responsibility for, or guardianship of, the source data sets. The consensus emerging from the present study was that clarity is required on the definition of data sharing, data ownership, and responsibilities of data owners.
Original languageEnglish
Article numbere003875
JournalBMJ Open
Volume4
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Feb 2014

Keywords

  • pharmacovigilance
  • prescribing
  • data sharing
  • data ownership
  • data linkage

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