Using linked data as a local health intelligence tool for early life health: A qualitative study protocol

This qualitative study protocol forms part of a PhD project being undertaken by Hollie Henderson at the University of York, which aims to understand how linked data can be used as a local health intelligence tool for child and maternal health. This project is funded by the White Rose Consortium and is part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Yorkshire and Humber Applied Research Collaboration (YHARC). 
The aim of this study is to understand how we can engage with and support decision-makers working in maternity, perinatal and early life health, to make best use of linked data as a local health intelligence tool for child and maternal health. This research was informed by the knowledge gaps identified in a mapping review conducted as part of the wider PhD project and the needs of the Born and Bred in (BaBi) project. The mapping review found limited evidence regarding the use of linked data by early years decision-makers in the UK and factors influencing its use. The findings from this qualitative study will inform the development of a toolkit aimed at supporting teams setting up electronic birth cohorts to engage with early years’ decision-makers, to facilitate the use of linked data as a local health intelligence tool for child and maternal health.
This study has received ethical approval from the University of York Health Sciences Research Governance Committee Reference: HSRGC/2022/488/A.