International descriptions of Nivel Primary Care Database now available

For many years, data on health and healthcare are being collected in Nivels Primary Care Database, using electronic health records of various primary care providers in the Netherlands. These include GPs, GP out-of-hours services, physiotherapists, exercise therapists, dieticians and speech therapists. The data are used for research on health problems and the use of primary healthcare services in the Netherlands. The results are often published in international, peer-reviewed journals. With the publication of two English scientific articles describing the methods of Nivel Primary Care Database (‘Nivel Zorgregistraties Eerste Lijn’ in Dutch), international references are now available.

With the publication Data Resource Profile: Nivel Primary Care Database (Nivel-PCD), The Netherlands in the International Journal of Epidemiology, we provide a description of and reference to the Nivel Primary Care Database, which can be used in international publications.

International reference for Nivel Surveillance also available

Alongside the publication on Nivel Primary Care Database in general, an English article has been published in JMIR Public Health and Surveillance: An overview of the Nivel Syndromic Surveillance System: Monitoring Public Health Through a Comprehensive Primary Care Database in the Netherlands. In this article, the Nivel Surveillance methodology of weekly data processing is described. Based on the weekly data collection of GP data, Nivel provides up-to-date information on trends of (infectious) diseases and sudden changes in these trends. Hereby Nivel has a national role in identifying the health consequences of - for example - epidemics, heat waves, incidents, disasters or sudden changes in use of care or prescribed medication.

Nivel Primary Care Database: a rich source of information on health problems and health care
Nivel Primary Care Database contains an enormous amount of data - dating back to 1970 - on health problems in the Netherlands and on care provided by various participating primary care providers. Data are extracted from electronic health records. The data provide information on, for example, healthcare use, health problems, prescribed medication and referrals to secondary care. Good to know: all data are pseudonymised and cannot be directly traced back to individuals. Our privacy regulations (in Dutch available) describe exactly which data we use and how we handle it.

Requesting data for research to improve care

Do you have any questions or comments about Nivel Primary Care Database? Or would you like to use our unique data source for your own research to improve health and healthcare? Go to Requesting data from Nivel Primary Care Datasbase: how does it work or send an email to datarequest@nivel.nl. We look forward to getting in touch with you!

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