The updates to the Data Resources Catalogue improve search functionality and usability, and support the quality of metadata descriptions. The development work was carried out in collaboration with the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) as part of the EU co-funded FinHITS project.
The aim of the Data Resources Catalogue development work has been to make data resources easier to find, describe and maintain, while ensuring that the service better meets the needs of both data controllers and data users.
The changes also support integration with Findata’s new e-service, which will be launched later this year.
“For researchers, it is important to quickly find information about the contents of data resources. Enhanced search functions and new filters make it easier to identify suitable data resources during the research planning phase,” says Peija Haaramo, Acting Head of Data Services at Findata.
About the Data Resources Catalogue
The Data Resources Catalogue (Aineistokatalogi in Finnish) is an online service maintained by Findata and THL.
It brings together metadata descriptions of health and social data resources, with a particular focus on data resources covered by the Finnish Act on the Secondary Use of Health and Social Data.
Visit the Catalogue: aineistokatalogi.fi
Key improvements
Enhanced search functionality
- Searches now cover a broader range of metadata fields, including the name of a data resource or dataset, alternative names and abbreviations.
- Data resources can be filtered by, for example, organisation, data resource type, language, time period, keywords, or whether the data resource falls within the scope of the Secondary Use Act.
- Variable searches now cover the variable name, technical name, description and keywords.
Data resource and dataset pages
- Contact information is now displayed directly on the data resource page.
- The latest update date of the metadata description is shown (metadata descriptions should be reviewed or updated annually).
- The technical name of each variable is displayed in the variable list.
- Variable groups can now be exported to CSV based on selected groups.
Guidance and support
- New support content has been added to the catalogue, including About the service and Accessibility statement
- In the future, frequently asked questions in English will be published here: Using the Data resources catalogue
New features presented at the FinHITS Forum
The new features were presented at the FinHITS Forum on 19 February 2026. The event also explored how the European Health Data Space (EHDS) will affect metadata descriptions in the future.
Upcoming developments include the HealthDCAT-AP metadata model, as well as data quality labels and data utility labels.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Health and Digital Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.