Findata’s new advisory services support the effective use of health data

Findata has introduced a range of new advisory services designed to improve support for international customers in particular, and to facilitate the use of health data in research and other forms of secondary use. These services are part of the FinHITS project, co-funded by the European Union.

The latest addition to our services is the Data assistant, a tool that helps researchers and other users identify the correct data controller and registry for the data they need. Users can select categories of interest, and the tool lists possible registries along with links to further information.

“The Data assistant provides an easy starting point for mapping potential data sources. It helps applicants to plan their projects before applying permits.” says Paula Nurmi, Senior Specialist at Findata.

Other advisory services have also been developed. Instructional videos demonstrate how to apply for permits and how applications and data resources are processed. In addition, the English-language website now features chatbot Vinkkeli, that answers frequently asked questions and directs users to the right information sources.

Personalised advice by appointment

The appointment service, which was piloted in spring 2024 and has now been established as a permanent service, has proven especially popular. Three days a week, Findata offers 20-minute remote consultation sessions via Teams, which have been met with highly positive feedback.

“During a single meeting, it is often possible to discuss many different issues that would have taken up much more resources for both the questioner and the respondent if they had been dealt with by email,” Nurmi explains.

Support is also available from Application clinics, which are now held twice a year in English. The clinics go through what needs to be taken into account when planning a data permit application and answer participants’ questions. The next English-language clinic will be held on November 11.

Next: a training portal

Findata is also preparing a training portal that will bring together guidance and learning materials in one place. The first training will be published in October 2025.

“The development of advisory services is driven by growing demand and the upcoming EHDS regulation. We want to ensure that both Finnish and international researchers can find the information they need and make use of it smoothly and securely,” says Nurmi.

Within the FinHITS project, Findata is simultaneously developing a new e-service, national data catalogue and secure processing environment Kapseli.