Reinie Cordier|Anna Ferrante
Engaging with big data: Occupational therapy needs to recognise the potential of using linked data to support evidence-based practice
Speech Pathology Australia|Curtin University|Curtin University
large linked datasets administrative records immeasurable value health social research community holman et al 2008 expressions big data research datasets combine data range administrative systems eg hospital admissions registers certain conditions eg autism well outcome status systems eg death registrations data linkage technique connects pieces information relate person family place event data sets enable capacity study disease burden progression care pathways longterm outcomes extend utility value datasets linked datasets increasingly complemented data human services sector eg disability child protection education justice development presents exciting opportunities occupational therapy research study occupational performance issues macro level administrative data creates large sample information target population eg people receiving rehabilitation physical injuries hospital children autism receiving care national disability insurance scheme used alone combination data answer research questions data linkage enables researchers use data multiple administrative datasets link individual entries appear datasets provides ability occupational therapy researchers service providers map target populations enter exit health social services turn enables creation multidimensional multiservice approach understanding health social issues service delivery despite immense value using linked administrative data challenges need recognised authorising environment environment processes requesting linked data obtaining approval complex timeconsuming klinken stanley nunis armstrong jorm 2016 applies obtaining ethics approval may political sensitivities related findings may potential reflect negatively data custodians another issue cost data linkage fees extraction costs expensive data linkage also come added conditions responsibilities data security strict access arrangements bradley penberthy devers holden 2010 moreover linked administrative data complex manipulate understand may require advanced expertise skills statistical analysis interpretation bradley et al notwithstanding challenges potential benefits data linkage occupational therapy research prodigious data linkage provide many insights may include determining effectiveness occupational therapy intervention programs ii detecting areas occupational therapy practice require greater resourcing iii identifying trends prompts creation new innovative strategies iv determining risk preventive factors v generate new knowledge vi ultimately improving local state federal policymaking improve social health services outcomes community data linkage create large sample size existing information population extensive period reduce methodological issues relating attrition recall losstofollow ferrante 2009 value linking administrative data best demonstrated citing research conducted using method studies using linked data typically focus populationlevel data traditional research examined hospital health records solely however situation changing increasingly studies use data multiple nonhealth sectors example chowdry crawford dearden goodman vignoles 2013 linked two national student databases better understand determinants students low economic backgrounds participation higher education meyer mittag 2015 used linked data food stamps welfare housing determine consequences underreporting lowincome populations improve measurement income identify outcomes indigenous australian children gialamas et al 2016 used linked birth registrations perinatal statistics school enrolments determine developmental outcomes calculate national literacy numeracy scores several australian researchers investigated linked child protection outofhome care juvenile justice data explore overrepresentation indigenous children welfare system maclean taylor odonnell 2017 2018 tilbury 2009 initial yet extensive search research using linked administrative data shows although use linked data occupational therapy nascent receiving increasing attention ahern jones 2017 linked national survey data administrative health records understand selfreport disability use health services rogers bai lavin anderson 2017 examined medicare care claims data reporting costs determine association higher spending occupational therapy services lower readmission rates using linking data across government departments provide powerful tool understanding complex issues solved spur development new multidisciplinary approaches therefore given complex health social challenges occupational therapy aims understand address uptake using linked administrative data surprisingly limited linked data greatly advance occupational therapy research methodology thereby exponentially propelling evidencebased practice time come occupational therapy actively engage data linkage community provide richer complete accurate view recipients occupational therapy service leading improved capacity cuttingedge research benefit health wellbeing communities serve authors made equal substantial contribution approved final manuscript authors declare conflict interest