Collecting morbidity data in general practice: the Somerset morbidity project

Abstract

Objective-To collect a valid, complete, con-, tinuous, and representative database of morbidity presenting to primary care and to use the data to help commission services on the basis of local need and effectiveness.Setting-Computerised general practices in Somerset.Methods-Participating general practices were selected to be representative of the district health authority population for general practice and population characteristics. All conditions presented at face to face consultations were assigned a Read code and episode type and the data were regularly validated. Data were sent by modem from the practices via a third party to the health authority each week.Main outcome measures-Proportion of consultations coded and accuracy of coding.Results-l1 practices agreed to participate. Validations for completeness during April 1994 to March 1995 revealed that 96.4% of the records were coded; 94 % ofthe 1090 records validated had appropriate episode types and 87% appropriate Read codes. The results have been used to help formulate the health authority's purchasing plans and have enabled a change in the local contracts for surgery for glue ear.Conclusions-The project has shown the feasibility of establishing a network of practices recording and reporting the morbidity seen in primary care. Early indications are that the data can be useful in evidence based purchasing.

Systematic review of scope and quality of electronic patient record data in primary care

“…Dissonance between data from secondary and primary care has been documented, though the presence of hospital diagnosis and procedural data have been found to improve the quality of data in primary care 12 17 19 20 25. Eighteen studies used national statistics or survey data as a reference standard for data reliability 4 – 7 11 13 21 23 25 – 34. A third of UK studies used MSGP4 as a reference standard for rate comparisons.…”

Pattern of inappropriate cases presenting to the Accident and Emergency Department in a Nigeria Tertiary Hospital

“…This corroborates with findings in previous studies. 22 This could be explained by the fact that patients occasionally somatise their illness and express non-specific complaints, which would be classified under other organic ICPC chapters and rubrics. 22 The teaching of the biopsychosocial model of patient care in medical schools as against the present biomedical model will create awareness of the presence of the psychosocial aspect of ill health among medical practitioners and thereby improve the search for social and psychological problems in patients.…”

Experience of Diagnostic Coding In Irish General Practice: The Practice Perspective

“…General practitioners (GPs) and health authorities have integral roles in assessing the needs of their local populations and providing services to meet these needs (Pearson et al, 1996). This requires current information on the incidence and prevalence of disease in general practice, and not surprisingly the demand for this information has increased.…”