Methods for defining a patient denominator in the national CPCSSN database: recommendations for best practices

In this study, we examined the appropriateness of various denominator definitions to be used for CPCSSN data. Based on results from this study, we found the use of 2YCG or 3YCG created using table appropriate date variables with data from CPCSSN Encounters, Encounter Diagnosis, Medications and Billing tables provides a patient denominator that closely resembles the CPCSSN as well as the general Canadian population. However, given the variations in the research objectives for which CPCSSN data are used, a data user should be mindful of the patient populations captured under different denominator definitions.

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