[Collection of data on primary care activities by sampling].
OBJECTIVE
To choose, as part of a strategy of change in the records system, the best sampling design for obtaining data on primary care activity and to evaluate the appropriateness of introducing this design.


METHODS
An experimental study of the errors committed and the precision of four different sampling designs. A: 8 days a month at random. B: 8 consecutive days a month. C: one day in three systematically (7 days a month). D: one day in four systematically (5 days a month).


RESULTS
The calculations of activity indicators obtained monthly for each of the two health centres (31 doctors in general medicine and paediatrics) were compared with the real values, which we already knew from a prior exhaustive search. Type B samples gave the worst results while D contributed the best. In the variables referring to health programmes, unacceptable errors were obtained for all of them.


CONCLUSIONS
Type D sampling was selected as the most appropriate. However, the positive and negative aspects to do with the necessity for, and use of, each piece of data, the required precision, the redistribution of tasks needed and the improvement in recording acceptability, must be assessed before it is put into practice.
Ortiz Cervelló
F
F
Servicio de Gestión de la Demanda, Dirección para la Gestión de Atención Primaria, Generalitat Valenciana, Valencia.
Quiles Climent
J
J
Menéndez Suárez
D
D
Peris Añón
F
F
Sanfélix Genovés
J
J
D003625:Data Collection; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013030:Spain
Obtención de datos de actividad en atención primaria por muestreo.