Sociodemographic data

Sociodemographic data is information about a person’s social background, such as their education, religion and employment. It also includes demographic characteristics such as age, gender, income, ethnicity and race.

Collecting sociodemographic data is an important part of our promise to treat everyone fairly and help make sure everyone has access to quality care.

For example, gathering information about the different backgrounds of the people we serve can help us make policies and programs that respect unique cultural and religious practices and beliefs. That way, our staff can give culturally sensitive care to our patients, and patients have a better overall experience at our hospital.

In other words, the sociodemographic information we gather helps us understand our patients, creates a more welcoming hospital environment, and improves access to care in our community and beyond.

No. You can select "prefer not to answer" to any or all questions. Choosing not to answer these questions will not impact the care you receive. 
 

Sharing this information helps us in three important ways:

1. Your answers help us identify the barriers our community is facing so that we can take steps toward improving the quality of care we provide at the UOHI.
2. Your answers help us to make better decisions about how we use resources, do research and make hospital policies.
3. Your answers help us better understand the different factors that influence health outcomes, access to care, and how often diseases occur.

Only your care team will have access to the sociodemographic information you provide that is relevant to the care you receive at the UOHI, such as your preferred language and accessibility needs.

We sometimes aggregate (group together) sociodemographic information provided through patient experience surveys with answers from other people. All reports will be de-identified so that your answers cannot be linked back to you. (See the How will you protect my privacy? section below.)

At the hospital, we will ask you sociodemographic questions during registration. We might ask about your preferred pronouns, preferred language, and accessibility needs. With your permission, we will share this information with your care team so they can provide you with care that respects your preferences and includes any accommodations you may need. You can add your sociodemographic information in MyChart.

We may email you a patient experience survey after your visit to the UOHI. This survey includes an “about you” section where you can share your sociodemographic information.

No. If you choose to provide answers, the answers you give at the hospital, in MyChart, and in your patient experience survey will not have an impact on the care that you receive at the UOHI.

Only your care team has access to your personal health information, including the sociodemographic information you provide. Staff are allowed to access only the information they need to support your care.

Sometimes, personal health information is aggregated (grouped together) and de-identified to better understand our patients and to improve the quality of care. This information cannot be linked back to you. For more information, please read Patient Privacy at the UOHI

Your sociodemographic data is part of your health record. Health records are stored following Ontario’s Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA).

UOHI also uses special safeguards. For example, all hospital staff learn how to protect personal health information and must sign an agreement to protect it. All health records are stored on Canadian servers and can only be accessed for purposes authorized by the UOHI.

We take your privacy seriously and follow strict rules to keep your personal health information safe.

Any sociodemographic information you share after you receive care at the UOHI, like in patient experience surveys, cannot be traced back to you. We will remove any personal, identifying information, such as your name, from your answers. The information in your answers will be mixed in with information from other patients so that we can better understand the needs of our patient populations and ensure everyone is treated fairly and equitably. 

You can select multiple races and/or ethnicities for that question. 

We select the questions and response options based on recommendations from organizations such as the Canadian Institute for Health Information, the Ontario Hospital Association, and Statistics Canada. We also rely on recommendations from experts in equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

If you have any comments on the questions or answers, please call the UOHI patient relations department at 613-696-7000 ext. 19305 or email @email. 

Yes, many hospitals across Canada collect sociodemographic information about the patients they serve.  

Yes. According to the Ontario Human Rights Code, collecting sociodemographic data is not only legal, but encouraged when the purpose is to stop discrimination and promote equity.

Yes. You can update your information in MyChart or by emailing @email or calling 613-696-7020 (Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, excluding statutory holidays).

Please call the UOHI patient relations department at 613-696-7000 ext. 19305 or email @email.