techUK and HDRUK - OMOP Roundtable review
David opened the discussion with an overview of HDRUK, outlining its mission to unite healthcare data across the UK via 3 main pillars:
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Supporting health and boost UK science
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Providing leadership to fix difficult technical problems
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Accelerating and streamlining health data
In order to achieve these objectives, David outlined HDRUK’s focus on Data Quality and Standards, in particular promoting the adoption of OMOP across the UK.
Following this, members were invited to discuss the current challenges in using the OMOP CDM. These included:
Data Quality
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Members saw the value of OMOP but outlined that data isn’t always in an accessible state
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Concerns were raised around hospitals knowing what data they actually held
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Deviation of data models across the four nations of the UK, in particular cancer research
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Different versions of OMOP being used in different areas
Training
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Issue of staff training and lack of funding
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Members highlighted the need to familiarise researchers with OMOP
Standardisation
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Members felt there was a good opportunity for standardisation across SDEs
The conversation then moved on to how to advance the use of OMOP. The discussion centred around the creation of a minimum viable dataset and the role of use cases in highlighting the potential of OMOP. Members then discussed the role of industry in advancing OMOP, including helping Trusts ‘OMOPify’ their data warehouses and showcasing research that couldn’t be done without it.
If you would like to learn more about HDRUK please view the presentation below:
231101 UK HDR Alliance - techUK OMOP roundtable.pdf
Robert Walker
Robert Walker
Robert joined techUK in October 2022, where he is now Programme Manager for Health and Social Care.
Robert previously worked at the Pension Protection Fund, within the policy and public affairs team. Prior to this, he worked at the Scottish Parliament, advising politicians and industry stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including rural crime and health policies.
Robert has a degree in Politics and International Relations (MA Hons) from the University of Aberdeen, with a particular focus on strategic studies and energy security. Outside of work he enjoys activities such as running, rugby, boxing and cooking!
- Email:
- [email protected]
Viola Pastorino
Viola Pastorino
Viola Pastorino is a policy, governance, and strategic communication specialist.
She joined techUK as the Junior Programme Manager in the Health and Care Team in April 2024.
She has obtained a Bachelor of Sciences in Governance, Economics, and Development from Leiden University, and a Master's programme in Strategic Communications at King's College London. Her academic background, leading up to a dissertation on AI policy influence and hands-on campaign development, is complemented by practical experience in international PR and grassroots project management.
She is skilled in qualitative and quantitative analysis and comfortable communicating findings to varying stakeholders. Above all, she is deeply passionate about the intersection of technology and government, especially how technology and global discourse shape one another, the processes that lead to belief polarisation and radicalisation of communities, and crafting strategic narratives that steer public discourse.
Outside of work she loves reading, live music light operation, and diving.
Clara Hewitt
Clara Hewitt
Clara joined techUK in October 2023. She brings experience across a range of domestic and global health issues, with particular focus on digital health, HIV/AIDS and climate change and health.
Clara holds an MSc in Global Health and Development (University College London) and a BSc in Psychology (University of Birmingham).
