AFHTO members have made great progress in developing a solid measurement culture. This has caught the attention of many external observers and resulted in numerous presentations at premier primary care and family medicine conference across Canada over the past 3 years. There is considerable interest in collaborating with AFHTO on research using the D2D database. This creates an opportunity for AFHTO to leverage the investment members have made in contributing these data. By collaborating with researchers, AFHTO members will have more help to answer questions about high performing teams and other topics of interest. It may also be possible to generate revenue from these collaborations to support the ongoing work of members in measurement and improvement. One very important consideration is the commitment of researchers to a participatory approach that respects AFHTO members’ ownership of the data. Other considerations include the extent which researchers prioritize questions of AFHTO members and the resources researchers can provide in kind or in cash to help with measurement and improvement activities. In light of the above and in consultation with AFHTO’s Quality Steering Committee and Board, AFHTO is pursuing a research collaboration with the Queen’s University Department of Family Medicine in Kingston, Ontario.
Implications for AFHTO members
Consent to share D2D data:
AFHTO members will be asked to give consent to share their (anonymous) D2D data with the research team. This will be done under the conditions outlined in the research partnership agreement currently under review by Queen’s and AFHTO legal advisors. The agreement is based on existing and mutually rewarding agreements between Queen’s and First Nations communities who have a similar interest in support for research and maintaining ownership of their data and interpretations thereof. The process of obtaining consent will be informed by long-standing successful processes used by Association of Ontario Health Centres under the leadership of Dr Jen Rayner, Director of Research. Consent from 100% of teams is not necessary to proceed. D2D data from teams that are not yet ready to share data with researchers can simply be excluded from the data sharing process.
Ongoing oversight of research agreement:
AFHTO may convene a small group of staff and/or Board members to maintain oversight of the research agreement based on the model in place at AOHC.
Highlights of the research agreement
The final version of the agreement will be posted on the AFHTO web site when approved by all parties. In the interim, see below for examples of commitments expected of research partners.
- Publish aggregate information only.
- Provide AFHTO with a summary of all information and findings from the research work prior to publication of any research results.
- Obtain AFHTO approval regarding disclosing the name of the organization in publications.
- Include AFHTO commentary in the published version, If AFHTO is not in agreement with the proposed final version of a publication.
- Report findings to an AFHTO forum prior to general release or publication of the results.
- Destroy data following publication of the research.
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