BC SUPPORT Unit
Data consultations
We help teams use data to improve care. Our data services support health research and learning health systems projects.
Data services include support to:
- access and use data resources
- develop data management and analysis plans
- access, use and understand datasets in the Health Data Platform
- access and use the REDCap data management application
To book a consultation, contact bcsupportunit@healthresearchbc.ca.
Health Data Platform BC
Health Data Platform BC is a single, secure platform that provides access to health data from multiple organizations.
Who is it for?
People in government, health authorities and research can request access to data and bring their own data. The results from data analysis can help develop policy, evaluate programs, inform strategy, support academic research and more.
Is it secure?
People access data through a secure virtual desktop with industry-standard analytics tools. Each person has their own protected storage for imported project data.
The platform protects sensitive health data by controlling access, logging and monitoring desktop activity, and reviewing output.
How can I access it?
Access to Health Data Platform is project-based. Organizations access the platform through the Ministry of Health. Academic researchers access the Health Data Platform through PopData BC.
What data are available?
HDPBC contains administrative health datasets, including:
- ambulatory care (DAD)
- emergency care (NACRS)
- home care (HCRS)
- long-term care (CCRS)
- prescription medication (PharmaNet)
- physician billing (MSP)
- Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST)*
*Includes a new dataset, transformed from electronic health records using the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership Common Data Model.
These datasets can all be securely linked together to understand the patient care journey through the entire health system and beyond.
The Health Data Platform is a partnership between the Ministry of Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the BC SUPPORT Unit.
REDCap
REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture) is a secure, sophisticated web application for building and managing online surveys and databases.
REDCap is available for a broad range of projects, including health research studies, clinical trials, learning health systems projects and improvement initiatives.
Follow these three steps to get started:
- Register for a my.popdata account.
- Log in to access REDCap.
- Submit a request to open a new project.
REDCap is offered through a partnership between the BC SUPPORT Unit (part of Michael Smith Health Research BC), BC Children’s Hospital, the Centre for Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluation (C2E2), Interior Health, Island Health, and Population Data BC.
Data Access Support Hub
The Data Access Support Hub (DASH) is a one-stop data access service portal for researchers requiring multi-regional health and health-related administrative data in Canada.
Researchers interested in health data from across Canada can access DASH from Health Data Research Network Canada.