What are the benefits of secondary use?
By combining registry data from large groups of people, we can detect patterns and phenomena that would not be visible from a single patient’s data. This generates new knowledge that helps improve, for example, treatment methods for diseases and the functioning of social services.
Using social and health data for secondary purposes, such as registry research, benefits society in many ways.
Examples of benefits that secondary use of health data can bring include:
How does Emma benefit from secondary use?
When Emma was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, the treatment provided by her doctor was based on decades of scientific research and the resulting care recommendations. The medication and care helped Emma feel better, and her daily life gradually became more manageable.
Not only does Emma benefit personally from care based on scientific knowledge, but her data – combined with data from thousands of other patients – can help develop care for others.
Emma’s data may also support research unrelated to her own condition. For instance, by comparing groups of people with and without certain illnesses, researchers can identify new risk factors and develop better treatment practices.