Clinical trials in South Australia are active and ongoing, with a variety of studies investigating a variety of clinical interventions. Nationally, there is a push for increased investment in clinical trials, with the goal of improving healthcare outcomes for all Australians.
During clinical trials, a significant amount of data is typically generated. However, at the conclusion of the trial, this data is usually archived and not accessible or available for any secondary purposes- long noted as a missed opportunity given the potential value that this data could provide.
Many researchers have trouble simply finding details about what data has been collected and whether it is of potential use to their projects. In addition, the variety (or lack) of processes for gaining access to data impacts the efficiency and timeliness of research and, in the worst-case scenario prevents research from proceeding.
Enter: HeSANDA. Led by the Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC), the Health Studies Australian National Data Asset (HeSANDA) program aims to give data generated in the course of clinical research a second life, by delivering a mechanism that allows investigator-initiated clinical trials to be discoverable and requestable.
Over the past three years, Health Translation SA (HTSA) has been part of this national initiative to support the sharing and reuse of health research data in ways that bring value to the research community, increase the efficiency of research, and provide benefits for the health of Australia’s population.
What initially began as a comprehensive consultation & co-design process evolved into the launch of the South Australian HeSANDA ‘Node’ in 2021, with Health Translation SA at the helm.
Fast forward to 2023, HTSA is poised to deliver their final HeSANDA report after a successful pilot with partners SAHMRI & Flinders Uni, and expansion well underway with other partners across South Australia.
The culmination of this work, the ‘Health Data Australia Catalogue’ and ‘Data Request Management System’ will be launched on June 30th, and is the result of both state-wide and national collaborations.
HTSA’s focus now shifts to working with partner organisations to ensure ‘business as usual’ policies and processes are established to ensure sustainability of the HeSANDA program.
Future expansion of ARDC’s HeSANDA program may include other types of clinical research.
To learn more about HTSA’s involvement in the ARDC’s HeSANDA program, visit https://healthtranslationsa.org.au/projects/health-studies-australian-national-data-asset-hesanda-program/