Camouflaged sampling and contacting of people from administrative databases: reaching target patients without knowing who they are.

Background: Methods are needed for using confidential data to select and reach patients without compromising their health privacy.

Methods: (a)

Sampling: we created (1) an anonymous list of encrypted personal health numbers (EPHNs) of target patients (e.g.

The effects of coxib formulary restrictions on analgesic use and cost: regional evidence from Canada.

Background: Public insurance plans for pharmaceuticals in Canada differ substantially across provinces in the conditions under which pharmaceuticals are reimbursed. Coxibs provide a good example. Québec had no restrictions on reimbursement for these drugs.

Changes in rates of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage after the introduction of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors in British Columbia and Ontario.

Background: Population rates of upper gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage have been observed to increase with the introduction and rapid uptake of selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors. Changes in COX-2 inhibitor use and upper GI bleeding rates in regions with relatively restrictive drug policies (e.g.

Using administrative healthcare data to recruit study subjects: experience with 'camouflaged sampling'.

Purpose: To recruit a sample of asthmatics heterogeneous for short-acting (SA) beta-agonist use while protecting their privacy, and to compare participants recruited via 'camouflaged sampling' to those recruited through media advertising.

Methods: Direct and indirect patient contact using camouflaged sampling was used to recruit a stratified random sample of asthmatics, identified based on their receipt of a prescription for a SA beta-agonist. Volunteers were recruited through media advertising.

Client retention in the British Columbia Methadone Program, 1996-1999.

Background: Methadone treatment for heroin addiction has been available for 40 years, but there is relatively little research on the effectiveness of Canadian programs. This paper describes one-year retention among the client cohorts entering the British Columbia Methadone Program during expansion between 1996 and 1999, and examines some factors previously shown to influence retention.

Methods: All methadone maintenance prescriptions dispensed to 1996-1999 program entrants were extracted from records of the BC Triplicate Prescription Program.