1. Nursing Health Services Research Unit 1 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, Portugal July 23-25, 2014

2. Nursing Health Services Research Unit Outline Types of databases Why databases are important Innovative methods in Canada How to develop a database Conclusions Questions 2

3. Nursing Health Services Research Unit 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 3

4. Nursing Health Services Research Unit Primary Databases Result from individual research projects Include many variables and/or themes Can be used by other investigators to ask different questions 4

5. Nursing Health Services Research Unit Secondary Databases Housed at the provincial,national and international level Include data from a variety of databases Agreement on general indicators* 5 *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

6. Nursing Health Services Research Unit Why are databases important? Support government decision-making Provide evidence of workforce trends Used to develop and evaluate policy 6

7. Nursing Health Services Research Unit Innovative Methods in Canada Large databases: –Population based databases –Health Professions databases Accessible and available Open data: –exchange of information across jurisdictions 7

8. Nursing Health Services Research Unit Provincial Databases Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care –Health Professions Database (HPDB) College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) –Provincial nursing regulatory database 8

9. Nursing Health Services Research Unit CNO Registration Database Annual mandatory census (total population of nurses in Ontario). New graduates included as new members. Uploaded to provincial and national databases 9

10. Nursing Health Services Research Unit 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 10

11. Nursing Health Services Research Unit 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. 11

12. Nursing Health Services Research Unit 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) 12

13. Nursing Health Services Research Unit 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 13

14. Nursing Health Services Research Unit Conclusions Different types of data exist Need for data is increasing Linking of databases valuable for decision- makers 14

15. Nursing Health Services Research Unit Contact Information Andrea Baumann, PhD Scientific Director Nursing Health Services Research Unit McMaster University Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning MDCL 3500 (905) 525-9140 ext. 22581 baumanna@mcmaster.ca 15