Requesting data from the Nivel Primary Care Database: how does it work?

Nivel Primary Care Database: a rich data source on health problems and treatment

Nivel Primary Care Database is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. Our data can be requested for answering your own scientific research question.

Here you will find information about the possibilities, data availability, data request procedure and fees.

What are the possibilities? We provide several formatsWhat are the possibilities? We provide several formats

The requested data can be provided in various formats:

  • as aggregated data: tables and charts
  • as data files: to perform your own analyses*
    * All analyses must be performed under Nivel's supervision: this will be a Nivel Primary Care Database expert. A temporary agreement with Nivel will be signed. If the requested data is linked to data at Statistics Netherlands (CBS), analyses are performed within the secure processing environment of Statistics Netherlands.

Which data are available?Which data are available? Data from a variety of healthcare providers

Nivel collects data which are recorded routinely in the electronic health record systems of healthcare providers in the Netherlands. The Nivel Primary Care Database contains data from:
Collecting data from health providers

Key statistics on the care provided by the healthcare professionals are published annually on the Dutch Nivel website.
 

Data upon request available, derived from Nivel Primary Care Database

Data request procedureData request procedure

Any bona fide researcher can apply for data by filling out the Data Request Form. The lead time for executing a data request is usually four to six weeks. However, the lead time depends on the number of current data requests. Therefore, we advise to submit a data request at least three months before the desired delivery date.

Data request procedure in four steps

  1. Assignment of a contact person
    This is an expert from the Nivel Primary Care Database team.
    Within a week after submitting your data request, you will be contacted.
  2. Review process
    First, data requests are reviewed for need-to-know and proportionality.
    Then, the scientific committee reviews the feasibility. The committee exists of representatives of professional associations of primary care providers.
    In case of data linkage and privacy sensitive data, the privacy committee also reviews the request.
  3. Data Sharing Agreement
    You will sign a data sharing agreement. Amongst other conditions, it requires that:
    • the results of the your research project will be published open access
    • your contact person from Nivel Primary Care Database is actively involved as a co-author in the publication of the concerning research. Nivel can only waive this condition if the contribution to the publication is very limited
    • Nivel only provides data necessary for answering the research questions posed (data minimization)
    • use of the provided data is only allowed for the research purpose and questions for which an approval has been given
  4. Data delivery
    Aggregated data (tables, charts) will be delivered.
    Data files will be made available at Nivel or at the secure processing environment of Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

Fees for data requests 2025Fees for data requests 2025

We charge fixed fees for handling costs needed to provide the requested data from the Nivel Primary Care Database. These fees are set by the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. The fees include basic support from a Nivel Primary Care Database expert on data selection and interpretation. Additional support or services will be quoted separately.

  Types of  requested data Fee (excl. VAT)
1 One type of data (e.g. morbidity) of one health profession (e.g. GPs) of a one-year period € 2.355,77
2 Multiple types of data (e.g. morbidity and prescriptions) of one health profession (e.g. GPs) of a one-year period € 3.091,36
3 One or more types of data (e.g. morbidity and prescriptions) of one health profession (e.g. GPs) of multiple years  € 4.557,81
4 Data from one health profession (e.g. GPs) that requires processing for linkage to data from an external source € 6.153,17
5 Data from multiple health professions (e.g. GPs and physiotherapists) whether or not linked to data from an external source € 7.431,76

 

Additional questions?Additional questions? Want to make a data request?

If you have additional questions you can contact us via datarequest@nivel.nl.
To make a data request you can go to our Data Request Form.
We look forward to getting in touch with you.

Korteweg, L. Overbeek, L. Requesting data from the Nivel Primary Care Database: how does it work?. From: www.nivel.nl [Last update 30-January-2025; consulted on 05-February-2025]. URL: https://www.nivel.nl/en/requesting-data-nivel-primary-care-database-how-does-it-work