Accurate data linkage from different sources is essential for generating comprehensive data sets for biomedical research. In Finland, all citizens have a unique personal ID code, which allows for reliably combining individual-level data from various data sources. The system was introduced already in the 1960s, and today, it benefits researchers who collect longitudinal data from multiple Finnish registers.
Although various systems for identification are used in countries all around the world, Finland has an exceptionally long history of providing personal ID codes for all its citizens and people permanently residing in Finland.
Discover the unique benefits that Finland can offer to biomedical researchers and companies
Finnish personal identity codes are used comprehensively in the Finnish healthcare databases, biobanks, and various population-based registers with valuable research data. ID codes enable the linkage of all this data for the benefit of researchers.
Finland has a universal health care system as well as electronic health records. While extensive collections of health data are available in other counties as well, the data are often found in regional registers or registers that rely on insurance data. Finland has an unrivaled amount of unbiased data from all members of the society.
Decades of unbiased medical data
Minimal selection bias ensures that researchers can access data representing the entire population. All Finnish citizens are included in national registers regardless of social status, income, or insurance type.
ID codes simplify longitudinal data collection: decades of register data can be accurately and reliably combined for research purposes. Vast amounts of longitudinal data enable researchers to conduct both retrospective and prospective studies, as new patient data is constantly added to different registers.
Finnish legislation allows for the use of health register data for purposes of scientific research, and a national authority has been established to implement the combining of data. In addition to data from unbiased population-wide registers, individual-level data from various other data sources can be combined reliably with the help of unique personal ID numbers – without compromising the data protection and privacy of individual patients.
Find Finnish partners for your RWE research
Today, all Finnish national registers are digitized, and further optimization and harmonization of data structures is an ongoing process. This will continually improve the use of register data for biomedical research in the future.
Finland’s up-to-date data legislation concerning the use of register data provides unparalleled opportunities both for registry studies as well as pragmatic clinical trials.
Are you ready to find out what possibilities Finland can provide for researchers? Our local research partners can help you recognize the benefits that the Finnish ID code system and longitudinal datasets can offer. Find a Finnish research partner through the Fingenious Ecosystem and discover new opportunities for your RWE research.
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