Data for Decisions and the Patron program of research
Creating knowledge from primary care data through research
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Governance and Ethics
Data for Decisions is underpinned by strong ethical principles, transparency and world class data governance and security.
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Security and Privacy
Find out about The University of Melbourne developed and controlled software and secure data storage systems designed to keep information safe and on-shore.
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Meet Us
Meet the team who administer and look after the Patron data.
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About Data for Decisions
The ‘secondary’ use of de-identified medical records is widely recognised to have the potential to improve public health. Individual patient records are important to doctors and individuals, but when de-identified (to maintain anonymity and patient privacy) and combined with many thousands of other records, a powerful research tool is created with the potential to generate new knowledge to improve health care.
Data for Decisions, incorporating the Patron program of research, is a University of Melbourne research initiative undertaken through the University’s Department of General Practice and Primary Care. With the permission of general practices or other primary care providers, we collate data from de-identified medical records and use the information for research to increase knowledge, quality improvement and improve healthcare practices. The data is stored in a University of Melbourne managed primary-care data repository called Patron. An independent Data Governance Committee made up of members of the public, GPs, practice managers, researchers and a lawyer, makes a determination on behalf of the data providers on which researchers/research projects can access the data.
In some instances, the primary care providers agree to provide their de-identified data to be used only for a specific research project instead of being made available to a range of projects.
The first practices consented to contribute to Data for Decisions in late 2017, but the program had been under development since 2016, building on strong foundations of international good practice in data governance and management.
Want to know more? Click below to access our library of informational videos.
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GPs & Practice Managers
Information for GPs and Practice Managers thinking about contributing to Data for Decisions.
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Consumers & Patients
Information for healthcare consumers about the Data for Decisions research initiative.
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Researchers
Information for researchers wishing to access data in the Patron primary care data repository.
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Using data to expand knowledge
Data for Decisions focuses on the use of de-identified data from general practice medical records to expand knowledge and ultimately promote service and population health improvements. Every research project that accesses the data stored in the Patron primary care data repository does so only after meeting rigorous data governance and ethics requirements. Each project using Patron data is described below, and each research group will provide a reader-friendly summary of their findings, and list of resulting publications, when available.
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Publications
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Cancer
- Alex Lee, Damien McCarthy, Rebecca J Bergin, Allison Drosdowsky, Javiera Martinez Gutierrez, Chris Kearney, Sally Philip, Meena Rafiq, Brent Venning, Olivia Wawryk, Jianrong Zhang, Jon Emery, Data Resource Profile: Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre Data Connect, International Journal of Epidemiology, 2023;, dyad148, https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyad148
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COVID-19
- Abraham P, Manski-Nankervis J, Biezen R, Hallinan C, Gibney K, Sanci L, Ride J. Costing of an Australian general practice COVID-19 drive-through testing and respiratory clinic. BMC Prim Care. 2022; 23: 58. doi: 10.1186/s12875-022-01664-4
- Tu K, Sarkadi Kristiansson R, Gronsbell J on behalf of INTRePID, et al. Changes in primary care visits arising from the COVID-19 pandemic: an international comparative study by the International Consortium of Primary Care. Big Data Researchers (INTRePID)BMJ Open 2022;12:e059130. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059130
- Augusto, A., Deitz, T., Faux, N., Manski-Nankervis, J.-A. and Capurro, D. (2022). Process mining-driven analysis of COVID-19’s impact on vaccination patterns. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 130, p.104081. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2022.104081.
- Peng, K., Tu, K., Li, Z., Christine Mary Hallinan, Laughlin, A., Jo‐Anne Manski‐Nankervis, Jemisha Apajee, María Carla Lapadula, Ortigoza, A., Cecilia Clara Da Roza, Valborg Baste, Flottorp, S., Knut‐Arne Wensaas, Lay Hoon Goh, Zheng Jye Ling, Kristiansson, R., Gaona, G., Pace, W.D., Westfall, J.M. and Pui, A. (2023). Global impacts of COVID‐19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services: An international comparative study on primary care from the INTRePID Consortium. BJOG, 131(4), pp.508–517. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17704.
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Data
- El-Hayek, C., Barzegar, S., Faux, N., Doyle, K., Pillai, P., Mutch, S. J., Vaisey, A., Ward, R., Sanci, L., Dunn, A. G., Hellard, M. E., Hocking, J. S., Verspoor, K., & Boyle, D. I. R. (2023). An evaluation of existing text de-identification tools for use with patient progress notes from Australian general practice. International Journal of Medical Informatics, 173, 105021. ISSN 1386-5056. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2023.105021.
- Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis, Canaway, R., Chidgey, C., Emery, J., Sanci, L., Hocking, J.S., Davidson, S., Swan, I. and Boyle, D. (2024). Data Resource Profile: Primary Care Audit, Teaching and Research Open Network (Patron). International journal of epidemiology, [online] 53(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyae002.
- Ward, R., Christine Mary Hallinan, Ormiston-Smith, D., Chidgey, C. and Boyle, D. (2024). The OMOP common data model in Australian primary care data: Building a quality research ready harmonised dataset. PloS one, 19(4), pp.e0301557–e0301557. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301557.
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Prescribing
- Monaghan T, Biezen R, Buising K, Hallinan C, Cheah R, Manski-Nankervis J. Clinical insights into appropriate choice of antimicrobials for acute respiratory tract infections. AJGP 2022,Vol 51 1-2, doi: 10.31128/AJGP-07-21-6073
- Hallinan, C.M., Gunn, J.M. and Bonomo, Y.A. (2022). Use of electronic medical records to monitor the safe and effective prescribing of medicinal cannabis: is it feasible? Australian Journal of Primary Health. doi:https://doi.org/10.1071/py22054.
- Teoh, L., Hopcraft, M., McCullough, M., Jo‐Anne Manski‐Nankervis and Biezen, R. (2022). Exploring the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing for dental presentations in Australian general practice—A pilot study. BJCP. British journal of clinical pharmacology/British journal of clinical pharmacology, 89(5), pp.1554–1559. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.15617.
- Australian Journal of General Practice. (2023). Antimicrobials for respiratory tract infections. [online] Available at: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2022/january-february/antimicrobials-for-respiratory-infections-1
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Sexual Health
- Jung, J., R. Biezen, Goller, J.L., Hocking, J., P. Chondros and J. Manski-Nankervis (2023). The chlamydia care cascade of young people attending Australian general practices; a descriptive study to assess gaps in care. Sexual health, 20(6), pp.542–549. doi:https://doi.org/10.1071/sh23096.
- Goller, J.L., Coombe, J., Bittleston, H., Bourne, C., Bateson, D., Vaisey, A., Tomnay, J., O’Donnell, H., Garret, C., Estcourt, C.S., Temple-Smith, M. and Hocking, J.S. (2021). Patient delivered partner therapy for chlamydia infection is used by some general practitioners, but more support is needed to increase uptake: findings from a mixed-methods study. Sexually Transmitted Infections, p.sextrans-2020-054933. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/sextrans-2020-054933.
- Coombe, J., Goller, J., Bittleston, H., Bateson, D., Bourne, C., O’Donnell, H., Tomnay, J., Temple-Smith, M. and Hocking, J.S. (2022). Patient-delivered partner therapy: One option for management of sexual partner(s) of a patient diagnosed with a chlamydia infection. Australian Journal of General Practice, 51(6), pp.425–429. doi:https://doi.org/10.31128/ajgp-07-21-6066.
- Peng, K., Tu, K., Li, Z., Christine Mary Hallinan, Laughlin, A., Jo‐Anne Manski‐Nankervis, Jemisha Apajee, María Carla Lapadula, Ortigoza, A., Cecilia Clara Da Roza, Valborg Baste, Flottorp, S., Knut‐Arne Wensaas, Lay Hoon Goh, Zheng Jye Ling, Kristiansson, R., Gaona, G., Pace, W.D., Westfall, J.M. and Pui, A. (2023). Global impacts of COVID‐19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health services: An international comparative study on primary care from the INTRePID Consortium. BJOG, 131(4), pp.508–517. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17704.
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Vaccination
- Augusto, A., Deitz, T., Faux, N., Manski-Nankervis, J.-A. and Capurro, D. (2022). Process mining-driven analysis of COVID-19’s impact on vaccination patterns. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 130, p.104081. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbi.2022.104081.
Over 126 general practices partner with Data for Decisions. We thank each and every one. Some practices wish to remain anonymous while others have consented to be named.*
- Aim Health Medical Centre, Level 1, 253 Lonsdale St, Melbourne, Vic 3000, Phone: 03 9005 2118
- Anglesea Medical, 3 McMillan Street, Anglesea 3230, Phone: 03 9215 6700
- Bell Post Medical Clinic, 290-306 Anakie Road, Norlane 3214
- Bendigo Primary Care Centre, 123 Arnold Street, Bendigo, VIC 3550, Phone: 03 5441 8622
- Campaspe Family Practice, 2-25 Caroline Chisholm Drive, Kyneton 3444 www.campaspefp.com.au
- Charlton Medical, 2 Learmonth Street, Charlton, Vic 3525, Phone: 03 5477 6888
- Churinga Medical Centre, 465 Mt Dandenong Road, Kilsyth, Vic 3137, Phone: 03 9722 9888
- Coolaroo Clinic, 512 Barry Road, Broadmeadows Vic 3048, Phone: 03 9309 7011
- Corio Medical Clinic, 1 Bacchus Marsh Road, Corio Vic 3214, Phone: 03 5274 9499
- Croydon Medical Centre, 88-90 Main Street, Croydon Vic 3136, Phone: 03 9723 4195
- Deepdene Surgery, 71 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, Vic 3103, Phone: 03 9817 4233
- Donald Family Clinic, 7 McCracken Avenue, Donald, Vic 3480, Phone: 03 5497 1100
- Eastbrooke Family Clinic Lincolnville, 493-495 Keilor Road, Niddrie Vic 3042, Phone: 03 9289 3333
- Forsyth Park Medical Centre, 200 Forsyth Road, Truganina Vic 3029, Phone: 03 8360 5359
- Friendly Medical, 83 Watton Street, Werribee, 3030
- Gladstone Park Medical Clinic, 323 Mickleham Road, Tullamarine Vic 3043 Phone: 03 9330 2533
- Guardian Medical Highpoint, 200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong 3032 Phone: 03 9318 4000
- Guardian Medical Showgrounds Village, Shop 1, Showgrounds Village Shopping Centre, 320 Epsom Road, Flemington, 3031 Phone: 03 9372 3600
- HealthWest Medical and Specialist Centre, 549 Morris Road, Truganina, 3029 Phone: 03 8360 3877
- Hoppers Lane General Practice, 242 Hoppers Lane, Werribee 3030, Phone: 03 8731 6500
- Lincolnville Medical Centre, 25 McFarlane Street, Keilor East Vic 3033, Phone: 03 9337 2200
- Maidstone Family Clinic, 191 Ballarat Road, Maidstone Vic 3012, Phone: 03 9318 1881
- Mediscreen Clinic, 799 Toorak Road, East Hawthorn, Phone: 03 8922 3105
- Modern Medical Balwyn, 1/349-381 Whitehorse Road, Balwyn 3103, Phone: 03 9813 7600
- Modern Medical Caroline Springs, Suite 3A 1042 Western Hwy, Caroline Springs 3023, Phone: 03 8358 0100
- Modern Medical Craigieburn, 6/1-9 Mareeba Way, Craigieburn 3064, Phone 03 8339 7450
- Modern Medical Glenroy, Level 1, 3/789 Pascoe Vale Road, Glenroy 3046, Phone 03 8311 4204
- Modern Medical Dandenong, 176 Londsale Street, Dandenong 3175, Phone: 03 8763 8900
- Modern Medical St Kilda Road, Level 1, 391 St Kilda Rd, Melbourne 3004, Phone: 03 9869 2000
- Moreland General Practice, 80 Moreland Road, Brunswick Vic 3056, Phone: 03 9385 1250
- Murchison Medical Clinic, 21 Impey Street, Murchison 3610, Phone: 03 5826 2575
- MyClinic Bacchus Marsh, 12 Gell Street, Bacchus Marsh Vic 3340, Phone: 03 5367 8000
- MyClinic Balaclava, 161-163 Carlisle Street, Balaclava Vic 3183, Phone: 03 9531 8383
- MyClinic Bourke Street Mall, 108, 283-297 Bourke Street, Melbourne Vic 3000, Phone: 03 9650 5630
- MyClinic Melbourne, 91 William Street, Melbourne Vic 3000, Phone: 03 9620 5299
- MyClinic Southbank, 63 Power Street, Southbank Vic 3006, Phone: 03 9131 4210
- MyClinic Tarneit, 412 Derrimut Road, Tarneit 3029, Phone: 03 8742 2088
- MyClinic Werribee, 156, 167-179 Shaws Road, Werribee Vic 3030, Phone: 03 9290 9898
- MyClinic Werribee Village, 10, 167-179 Shaws Road, Werribee Vic 3030, Phone: 03 8742 3002
- O'Herns Road Medical Clinic, 62A Manor House, Epping, Vic 3076, Phone: 03 9408 6333
- Parkwood Green Medical Centre, Suite 4, 1-5 Kate Way, Hillside 3037, Phone: 03 9449 4100
- Peak Medical gpc, Hoppers Crossing Shopping Centre, 50 Old Geelong Rd, Hopper Crossing, Vic 3029, Phone: 03 9020 2600
- Plantation Medical Clinic, 14 Plantation Road, Corio, Vic 3214, Phone: 03 9020 2600
- Polaris Medical Centre, 32 Copernicus Crescent, Bundoora, Vic 3083, Phone: 03 9227 3300
- Portland Family Clinic, 156 Percy Street, Portland, Vic 3305, Phone: 03 5523 7144
- Robinson Street Medical Centre, 7 Robinson Street, Camperdown, Vic 3260, Phone: 03 5593 7070
- Rochdale Medical Centre, 1A Rochdale Square, Lalor, Vic 3075, Phone: 03 9706 5168
- Ross Court Medical Complex, 35 Ross Street, Niddrie, Vic 3042, Phone: 03 9379 8610
- St Mina Medical T/A Family Care Medical Centre, 404-406 Huntingdale Road, Mount Waverley Vic 3149, Phone: 03 9807 0022
- Sun Crescent Medical Clinic, 29 Sun Crescent, Sunshine, Vic 3020, Phone: 03 9312 6050
- Tatura Medical Centre, 4 Thomson Street, Tatura Vic 3616, Phone: 03 5824 1244
- The Clinic Sunshine, 53 Devonshire Road, Sunshine 3020, Phone: 03 9311 0691
- The University of Melbourne Shepparton Medical Centre, https://shepmed.mthc.com.au
- Toorak Medical Centre, 89-100 Mathoura Road, Toorak 3142 www.toorakmedicalcentre.com.au
- Utopia Refugee and Asylum Seeker Health, 5 Alexandra Avenue, Hoppers Crossing, Vic 3029, https://www.utopiarefugeehealth.com/
- Victoria Harbour Medical Centre, 850 Collins Street, Docklands Vic 3008, Phone: 03 9629 1414
- Women's Health Hub, 236 Hoppers Lane, Werribee Vic 3030, Phone: 03 8352 5441
- Wynhamvale Health Care, 127 Ballan Road, Wyndham Vale, Vic 3024, Phone: 03 9742 5148
- Yarra Medical - Richmond, 486 Victoria Street, Richmond, Vic 3121, Phone: 03 9428 6200
- Yarra Medical - The Hive, Shop 25 3/3 Victoria Street, Abbotsford, Vic 3067, Phone: 03 9027 6262
- Goomeri Family Medical Practice, 10 Moore Street, Goomeri 4601, Phone: (07) 4168 4244
- Murgon Family Practice, 43A Stephen Street West, Murgon 4605, Phone: (07) 4168 2722
- Wondai Family Medical Centre, 18 MacKenzie Street, Wondai 4606, Phone: (07) 4168 5050
If you are part of a general practice interested in becoming a Data for Decisions partner, please contact us.
* Since 2019, our participation consent form lets practices choose to be acknowledged here. If you are a practice that partnered in 2018 and you would like to be acknowledged here, please contact us.
- General Practice waiting room poster
- Patient Information Statement PDF, 139.06 KB
- Introductory Q&A flyer about Data for Decisions and the Patron program of research
- GP Information Statement PDF, 128.5 KB
- Consent for Practices to be acknowledged on this website (NEW)
- Introduction to GRHANITE software
- VicREN Membership form (membership is free)
- Patron Data Security Guidelines for Applicants and Recipients
- Patron Summary for Ethics Applications
- Research Data Access Flowchart
- Patron Databook for researchers
- Data Access Agreement - Summary and researcher checklist
- Introductory presentation about working with Patron data
- Application dates for Patron Data
2023 Update
Thank you to all the practices that contribute EMR data to the Data for Decisions research initiative. This data is used by researchers across Australia with the aim of developing interventions or tools that can help GPs and patients make informed decisions about optimising their health.
Research Initiative
See our open access article - Gathering Data for Decisions - in the Medical Journal of Australia.
Rachel Canaway, Douglas IR Boyle, Jo‐Anne E Manski‐Nankervis, Jessica Bell, Jane S Hocking, Ken Clarke, Malcolm Clark, Jane M Gunn and Jon D EmeryMed J Aust 2019; 210 (6): S12-S16. || doi: 10.5694/mja2.50026
Introducing Data for Decisions
To be fully informed, listen to the full discussion about Data for Decisions (filmed April 2018):
Research Initiative (extended version)
The Data for Decisions program collects and uses de-identified patient information for research in an ethical and secure way. The information is stored in a database managed by the University of Melbourne. Data contributed by general practices will help to improve the way medical care is delivered and inform the education of future health professionals.
Patron Administrator
Department of General Practice and Primary Care
The University of Melbourne
Level 2 West (Reception), Medical Building (Building 181)
Melbourne
Victoria 3004
AUSTRALIA
Email: patron-support@unimelb.edu.au
Or follow the link below to complete the enquiry form