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SUMMARY:Technical Challenges associated with record linkage - James Boyd (
 )
DTSTART:20160913T090000Z
DTEND:20160913T093000Z
UID:TALK67326@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:INI IT
DESCRIPTION:Background: The task of record linkage is increasingly being u
 ndertaken by  dedicated record linkage units with secure environments and 
 specialised linkage  personnel. In addition to the complexity of undertaki
 ng record linkage\, these  units face additional technical challenges in p
 roviding record linkage &lsquo\;as a  service&rsquo\;. The extent of this 
 functionality\, and approaches to solving these  issues has had little foc
 us in record linkage literature. <br> <br>Methods: This session identifies
  and discusses the range of functions that  are required or undertaken in 
 the provision of record linkage services. These  include managing routine\
 , on-going linkage\; storing and handling changing data\;  handling differ
 ent linkage scenarios\; accommodating ever increasing datasets.  Current l
 inkage methods also include analysis of data attributes such as data  comp
 leteness\, consistency\, constancy and field discriminating power. This  i
 nformation is used to develop appropriate linkage strategies. <br> <br>Res
 ults: In order to maximise matching quality and efficiency\, linkage  syst
 ems must address real-world operational requirements to manage linked data
   over time. By maintaining a full history of links\, and storing pairwise
   information\, many of the challenges around handling &lsquo\;open&rsquo\
 ; records\, and  providing automated managed extractions are solved. Autom
 ation of linkage  processes (including clerical processes) is another way 
 of ensuring consistency  of results and scalability of service. Several of
  these solutions have been  implemented as part of developments by the PHR
 N Centre for Data Linkage in  Australia. <br> <span><br>Conclusions: Incre
 asing demand for and complexity of\, linkage services  present challenges 
 to linkage units as they seek to offer accurate and efficient  services to
  government and the research community. Linkage units need to be both  fle
 xible and scalable to meet this demand. It is hoped that the solutions  pr
 esented will help overcome these difficulties.</span>
LOCATION:Seminar Room 1\, Newton Institute
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