Interviews
Researchers and experts share their insights on how registry and health data can be used in research. Read, for example, about how Nordic data contributes to solving health puzzles, how dog registers are used in health research, or why collaboration can be an important key in working with register data. The interviews are independent of the Data Guide's knowledge support on the research data cycle and reflect the experiences and perspectives of the interviewees.
Registry data for research: rules, fees and misconceptions
Karin Björling is a coordinator at Region Dalarna and handles around 50 applications for register data each year – nearly all of which are approved. Experienced researchers are often well versed in the regulations, but among younger and more inexperienced researchers, there are various misconceptions.
Nordic data to solve health mysteries
Epidemiologist Unnur Valdimarsdóttir works both in Iceland and Sweden. She uses Nordic registry and health data to study links between mental and physical ill health.
A gateway to Region Västra Götaland’s data
Ulrika Frithiofsson is head of the Centre of Registers Västra Götaland, which receives around 350 applications for the disclosure of register data every year. Almost all applications result in researchers eventually obtaining the data, but the process is not always straightforward.
Collaboration is key to good and relevant register-based research
Johan Askling at Karolinska Institutet has extensive experience of both Swedish and Nordic register-based studies. He emphasises that successful register-based research requires strong collaboration.
The epidemiologist using dog registries in health research
Epidemiologist Tove Fall and her colleagues were the first in the world to link dog registries with health data on dog owners. She knows just how unique Sweden's public agency registries are – and how the personal identity numbers open up for more unexpected data sources.