Dialogue Volume 10 Issue 3 2014 | Page 19

sharing data Making the best use of our information Strategy ensures we only share data in ways that promote quality of care T he College regularly receives requests for data from researchers, hospitals, local health organizations and individuals. It is not surprising that the College’s information is much sought after; we are a repository for a rich, unique set of data – about complaint trends; specialty-specific information; and, of course, up-todate physician contact information. At its meeting in September, Council approved a strategy that will ensure that we only share data in ways that align with the College’s priorities and mandate, while always fulfilling our privacy and confidentiality obligations. The strategy will take effect next January. The data-sharing strategy includes a vision, an oversight structure and a new decision-making tool. The vision will serve as a principled foundation on which data sharing will be based. There are two key components to the vision: responsible data stewardship and knowledge contribution. As a responsible steward of data, the College will continue to be compliant with confidentiality and privacy obligations. We will ensure our decisions to share data align with the College’s objects and priorities; we will be transparent about policies and decisions related to data sharing; and lastly, we will be consistent and efficient in our decision-making. With respect to knowledge contribution, the College is an important stakeholder in the health system. College data can support system changes and policies, can be used to improve patient experiences and enable continuity of care, and can evaluate our own effectiveness and that of other regulatory bodies. College data can support system changes and policies, can be used to improve patient experiences and enable continuity of care “Through our various processes, the College collects information that is unique and of significant value in terms of informing medical regulation, health-system planning and decision-making,” said Dan Faulkner, Deputy Registrar. “That is why we have to thoughtfully consider requests for information from institutions, credible provincial research organizations and others. But we are not interested in requests for information that only serve to advance commercial purposes.” So what kind of data-sharing At its September meeting, Council approved a new data-sharing strategy. requests does the College receive? And for what purposes? Here are some examples: •  Requests for physician information from the public register (such as, names and specialties of all physicians in a geographic area; or names and practice addresses of all psychiatrists in Ontario, for example). Such information may be used for LHIN planning purposes, or to inform a municipal recruitment strategy. This type of information is available to the public already, and under certain circumstances, the College will facilitate its organization for appropriately approved requests. •  Requests for private physician data or program information pertaining to physicians for research purposes. For example, the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research (CRaNHR), which conducts studies and evaluation on the DIALOGUE • Issue 3, 2014 19