Population Health Research Net

Client Services

Each jurisdictional data linkage unit within the Population Health Research Network (PHRN) has dedicated client services staff that assist researchers to complete and submit applications and coordinate the entire data access process.

Client services staff assist researchers with various aspects of projects involving linked data including design and cohort selection, provision of quotations, completion of data applications, advice on ethics processes and applications, negotiation of access to data with data custodians and in some instances, archiving of data extracts at the completion of the study.

For contact details of jurisdictional based client services staff see below.

Key client services activities include:

• Publishing online metadata for data collections available for linkage, such as guidance on data collections available for linkage in each state, custodian details, temporal scope, links to validation studies;
• Providing application support to researchers including answering questions regarding the approval and application process and providing access to all necessary forms;
• Providing information and assistance with project design including cohort selection, control selection, variables/time periods required;
• Procurement of quotations for data linkage and extraction services;
• Undertaking preliminary review of data application forms to ensure completeness;
• Assistance with completing data custodian approval forms and ethics applications to ensure that applications include all required documentation and information are complete and well-conceived;
• Forwarding expression of interest and formal applications to relevant data custodians for full review and approval and coordinate the approval process;
• Assistance with negotiating formal contracts with data custodians following approvals;
• Support for use of the extracted data, including answering questions about data fields and coding specifics; and
• Comprehensive tracking services including pertinent dates, approvals and project status.

Please note that Population Health Research Network does not adjudicate data access requests; the authority to approve the use of the data remains with the data custodian.

Contact details for Client Services Staff