Data sharing and privacy (DSP) resources
Effective data sharing is foundational to advancing integrated care, enabling coordinated clinical pathways, implementing programs, monitoring performance across OHTs/PCNs and their member organizations, and responding directly to challenges identified by OHTs as barriers to integrated-care delivery.
RISE is pleased to make available a data-sharing agreement (DSA) toolkit that includes:
- a DSA template – developed by BLG and with the input of 20+ OHT and regional representatives – as an editable and adaptable template for use by all OHTs and their member organizations
- four tools – again developed with the input of an advisory group –to operationalize the use of the template and enable the practical implementation of data sharing in OHTs
- frequently asked questions (FAQ) to help with how data sharing works under the DSA template (and PHIPA)
- decision tree - both a one-page decision tree and an ‘unpacked’ decision tree - to help select a ‘lane’ for sharing data (or a means of sharing Personal Health Information) under the DSA
- roadmap for ‘new project’ data sharing and governance to help operationalize data sharing – under the DSA template – with any ‘new project’ (e.g., improving chronic disease prevention and management, increasing primary-care access and attachment)
- data sharing ‘role’ decision framework to help assess organizational readiness and other considerations for serving as an agent or health information network provider (HINP) for other health information custodians (HICs) under PHIPA
- a RISE brief to provide context for and tips for the use of the DSA template and tools, including links to additional resources.
The DSA toolkit was introduced in a launch webinar, and the slides and recording are available on the launch webinar webpage. Some DSP implementation supports are already available, and more are now in development. The OHT DSP capability self-assessment survey is also now live.
RISE will be making available additional DSP resources over the coming months, including a privacy toolkit to complement the DSA toolkit. The development of the privacy toolkit will build on the province-wide needs assessment – engaging 15+ OHTs and 100+ providers – that identified: 1) uneven privacy knowledge; 2) variable readiness for and uncertainty navigating PHIPA across multi-sector partnerships within OHTs; and 3) broader gaps in privacy governance, processes and technology as key barriers to implementation. The toolkit will help to strengthen targeted privacy, data-sharing and information-management capabilities, supporting the safe and trusted use of shared health information in integrated-care initiatives.
These implementation supports are intended to help OHTs advance their clinical priorities. OHTs who confirm – via self-assessment – strong data sharing and privacy capabilities may consider these tools optional.
