Creating an Cross-National Measurement Database: Prescription Medication Misuse As an Initial Example

Background: During the 2015 International Networking Forum sponsored by the Society for Prevention Research International Committee, participants identified a need to share research tools and surveillance strategies more broadly across countries. Difficulties in sharing this information were discussed, such as recognition that some instruments and constructs are not validated for use in multiple countries and cultures, and acknowledgment that information dispersed in academic journals is often difficult to access. This proposal is part of an ongoing effort to support collaborations among international colleagues and to further prevention science research globally. 

Proposal: This roundtable will address the development of a series of open source databases for more easily sharing resources. The first database will address substance use, more specifically prescription medication misuse.

Prescription medication misuse is a worldwide phenomenon impacting developed and developing countries. As such, standardized definitions and measures regarding the use and misuse of prescription medications are necessary to conduct cross-national comparisons of use patterns and consequences. Taking prescription medication misuse as an initial example, roundtable presentations will focus on measurement concepts such as: case definitions of nonfatal and fatal overdoses, descriptions of surveillance databases for drug use and overdose death, and reported prevalence of related outcomes and patterns by population subgroups. We anticipate that this roundtable will prompt a first-time opportunity to discuss the concept of a cross-national measurement registry, with the ultimate aim of creating common yet adaptable measures.

While the discussion will center on a database for prescription medication misuse, the principles discussed will apply to future databases on other topics, as well. Benefits of the proposed databases include: 1) centralization and accessibility of information, 2) ability to “borrow” and adapt ideas with minimal expenditure of resources, 3) enhanced ability to conduct cross-cultural comparisons, and 3) identification of emerging issues. Researchers, policy makers, and practitioners may all benefit from this repository, which will be built on the principle of sharing resources in a non-hierarchical manner. We anticipate that with the success of the initial database, the number of topics covered will increase over time, possibly also including risk and protective factors in addition to outcome measures.

Goals of Session: At this roundtable discussion, we will welcome and encourage feedback on the cross-national database concept, as well as the initial example. Some goals include: 1) examining the key challenges around cross-national measurement; 2) thinking about how a database would address these issues; and 3) discussing the focus and structure of the proposed databases, including issues of sustainability and funding.