Registry

Type of Study

Data are collected on an annual basis.

Data gathering method

Registries

Conditions of access

Data linkage is allowed provided that the researcher has received permission from the authorities (THL).

Register data

SAS

Data are collected on an annual basis since 2011.

2011

Registry

AVOHILMO register (THL) provides data for all patient encounters within the publicly provided primary care (primary health care centers) in Finland since 2011. Avohilmo register contains data on: ·         anonymised patient level data per hospital stay (sex, age, place of residence, type of visit/patient contact) ·         medical data on hospital stay (major and additional diagnoses according to ICD-10 standards, procedures/treatments) ·         points awarded per hospital stay based on DRG system ·         DRG codes per hospital

Individual level data can be linked using the unique and national personal identification code. However, linkage requires substantial justification on behalf of researchers due to data protection protocols.

The data quality may be poor since the development and use are at an early stage.

The data quality may be poor since the development and use are at an early stage.

The data quality may be poor since the development and use are at an early stage. There are large variation in the diagnosis coding.

Each data item refers to one outpatient contact. Distinct patients having multiple contacts can be distinguished.  Linkage possibilities to other national registers using the unique personal identification is a major strength. However, the data contents in the minimum dataset are fairly limited, clinical parameters, health behaviour data and other crucial risk adjustment measures are missing.