Use of data linkage to improve communicable disease surveillance and control in Australia: existing practices, barriers and enablers.

摘要: Objectives: To review the use of data linkage by Australian state and territory communicable disease control units, to identify barriers enablers inform surveillance activities. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were carried out with one key informant from units in all eight states territories between October 2017 January 2018. Results: Key informants participated interview. A variety existing practices identified, few jurisdictions making systematic available infrastructure. identified included: a lack perceived need; system factors; resources. Existing regulatory tools enable enhance control. Conclusions: We considerable variation activities jurisdictions. suggest that routinely collected, disparate are systematically integrated into response policy cycle improve prevention efforts. Implications for public health: gaps may affect Data is recognised as valuable method close should be used value publicly held health data.