Courses_

Analysis of Linked Health Data

Understand the theory and analysis of linked health datasets
This short course is designed for data analysts, health services researchers, clinical practitioners and managers, and introduces them to linked data analysis at an introductory to intermediate level.

Gain an understanding of the theory and skills needed to analyse linked health data. The modular structure of the course provides participants with a theoretical grounding on each theme, followed by hands-on practical exercises each day using de-identified linked data files.

Please note that the short course will now only run in June each year.

Course details

  • Introducion to data linkage and its history
  • Description of the Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL) and how record linkage works
  • Quality of data linkage
  • Ethics and data security
  • Applying to the CHeReL for data
  • Types of population health databases
  • ICD coding
  • Constructing study populations
  • Data wrangling to construct dataset(s) that can be used for statistical analysis 
  • Measures of health care utilisation, health care episodes, and inter-hospital transfers
  • Practical data quality considerations
  • Measures of health care outcomes, including treatment outcomes and adverse events
  • Analysis approaches
  • Covariates for risk adjustment, including sociodemographic, illness severity, and comorbidity

On completion of this short course participants will be able to:

  • understand the theory of data linkage methods and features of comprehensive data linkage systems, sufficient to know the sources and limitations of linked health data sets, and in particular those for New South Wales;
  • apply epidemiological principles to the design of studies using linked data;
  • construct numerators and denominators for the analysis of disease trends and health care utilisation and outcomes;
  • assess the accuracy and reliability of data sources;
  • check data linkages and assure the quality of the study process, e.g. consistency of definitions, missing data;
  • list the issues to be considered when analysing large linked data files;
  • utilise data wrangling techniques to prepare linked data files for analysis, derive exposure and outcome variables, relate numerators and denominators and produce results from basic statistical procedures.

The course is suitable for people with no previous experience in the analysis of linked health data. However, it does assume familiarity with introductory statistical and epidemiological methods, as taught, for example, in a Master of Public Health degree course.

The course also assumes basic programming skills in either R or SAS. 

Important: This short course is a variant of the unit of study, Analysis of Linked Health Data (PUBH5215). It enables you to complete the unit without formal university enrolment or assessment requirements. You will receive a certificate of completion, however, you will not receive credit points towards a University of Sydney degree.

To receive credit points and an academic transcript:

Key information
Course fees

Individuals/Small groups (up to 4 students)
$2970 incl. GST per student

Large groups (5+ students)
 $2640 incl. GST per student

Delivery/location

This is a hybrid workshop, and consists of pre-recorded and live  lectures and live practical sessions. 

Live sessions can be attended in person on Camperdown campus or via videoconferencing (Zoom).  

Dates

June 2024 session:

Block 1

Tuesday June 11th 9:00am-5:00pm

Wednesday June 12th 9:00am-5:00pm

Thursday June 13th 9:00am-5:00pm


Block 2
Monday June 17th 9:00am-5:00pm

Tuesday June 18th 9:00am-5:00pm

 

June 2025 session TBC

Application deadline
June 2025 session
TBC

 

Payment

Applicants will be contacted in May 2024 to confirm their enrolment and provide payment details. 

Payment can be made by:

  • Credit card
  • Journal transfer (University of Sydney staff only)
  • Invoice

If you need to pay by another method, please include your preference in the free text section of the application form.

What happens next?

4 weeks from the beginning of classes:

You will receive an email confirming your enrolment, and providing details for how to pay.

2-3 weeks from the beginning of classes:

You will receive a welcome email from the Sydney School of Public Health Education Support team, containing your e-learning login details and orientation materials.

2 weeks from the beginning of classes:

You will be able to access the e-learning Canvas site for the course. The Unit of Study Coordinator will provide you with a list of the readings.

After completing the course:

Please contact the Sydney School of Public Health Education Support team (ssph.education-support@sydney.edu.au) to receive a copy of your Completion Certificate. 

Cancellation

If you decide to cancel your enrolment, the following penalty will apply:

  • Cancellation received before the start of classes: the full course fee will be refunded.
  • Cancellation received on or after the first day of classes: no refund.

Cancellation must be made via email to the Sydney School of Public Health Education Support Team: ssph.education-support@sydney.edu.au

Contact

Address
  • Education Support Office, Level 3, Edward Ford Building (A27), The University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia