Panel Data for Healthcare Research: Reviews and Suggestions

Abstract

Objectives: Several panel surveys have recently been accumulated for various purposes in Korea, and vast amounts of data have been built over a long period of time. However, there are still no networks or platforms that can provide integrated information about existing panel data. In this paper, panel data, which is widely used on healthcare research, was reviewed and future suggestions were proposed in establishing panel data. Methods: This study classified and analyzed 9 types of panel data commonly used in healthcare research according to their status, sample composition, sample retention rate, survey items, and other characteristics.Results: The use of panel data is particularly useful for longitudinal analyses, such as examining health trajectories or identifying causal relationships with influencing factors. To utilize panel data effectively for healthcare research, efforts are needed to establish links between panel data and administrative data, provide post-survey management support, and ensure continuous quality improvement.Conclusions: It is very important to establish the integration platform for various panel data and administration data. If we develop strategies for quality management for it, the value of panel data and utilization of researchers will be enhanced.