Use of linked administrative adult social care data for research: a scoping review of existing UK studies

Lugg-Widger, Fiona ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0029-9703, Sydenham, Mia, Oatley, Rebecca ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0552-0198 and Scourfield, Jonathan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6218-8158 2024. Use of linked administrative adult social care data for research: a scoping review of existing UK studies. The British Journal of Social Work 10.1093/bjsw/bcae151

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Abstract

Administrative data provide unique coverage of populations using care and the use of new datasets and advancing digital technologies only contribute to this growing area. There are ongoing limitations in the linkage of administrative datasets, which for adult social care have been exacerbated by inconsistent coding and varied IT systems. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of all studies to date that have used linked adult social care administrative data in the UK. This scoping review included primary quantitative research using individual-level adult social care service or workforce data when linked with at least one other data source. The search strategy was developed systematically and two authors independently screened and reviewed full-texts for inclusion. Fourteen articles were included—a mix of national and local projects. Definitions for the adult social care population ranged, with only four including all ages. One included unpaid carers and one included the domiciliary care workforce. Where described, linkage of datasets was slow, with challenges in the governance and linkage process. This review demonstrates that administrative data can be a rich source of information for the adult social care sector and linkage can expand its utility and impact.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine Centre for Trials Research (CNTRR) Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
ISSN:	0045-3102
Funders:	Health and Care Research Wales
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 September 2024
Date of Acceptance:	26 August 2024
Last Modified:	11 Oct 2024 15:09
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/172465

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