Primary care text in The Health Improvement Network database, v1
Research type
Research Database
IRAS ID
275456
Contact name
Samir Dhalla
Contact email
Research summary
The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database with primary care free text
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SC/0011
Date of REC Opinion
20 Mar 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion
Data collection arrangements
The THIN database will collect data automatically from electronic health records from participating general practices. This includes information about people's health such as their diseases, test results and medication, but not their name, address or other information that could directly identify them. Text in the patient record will be analysed using computer programs to remove identifying information and extract information that is useful for medical research.
Patients who do not wish for their data to be used for research will have the opportunity to opt out. Data will be stored securely, and will only be available to researchers carrying out approved medical research. A committee with patient, clinical and academic representatives will oversee the database and ensure that the data are used in an appropriate way that maximises patient benefit and protects patient privacy.
Research programme
This database is a partnership between The Health Improvement Network and researchers at University College London (UCL) and the University of Birmingham. Database operations will be advised by an Advisory Committee co-led by patient and academic representatives, with general practitioners and other clinicians included on the panel. The committee will ensure that the database is managed in a way that maximises benefit to patients and the public, while protecting patient privacy. Another committee, the Scientific Review Committee, will review proposals for research using the database to ensure that they are scientifically appropriate. The database will be used for a range of research projects which aim to understand more about disease risks and causes, improve diagnosis, develop new treatments, prevent disease, plan NHS services and improve patient safety. A unique feature of THIN will be the presence of anonymised free text, which will enable detailed studies on information that is commonly recorded only in free text, such as side effects of medication, early symptoms of diseases, clinical examination findings, and patient ideas, concerns and expectations.
Research database title
The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database with primary care free text
Establishment organisation
The Health Improvement Network
Establishment organisation address
The Health Improvement Network
The Bread Factory, 1A Broughton Street
Battersea, London
SW8 3QJ