Establishing the feasibility of cross-mapping independent child health data sets as a means of comparing health status and service quality.
Benefits of comparative data analysis for quality assurance and policy development are clear, but are difficult to establish through traditional means of prospective projects. This paper describes a pilot project to test an alternative method, namely seeking to identify areas of commonality amongst very different pre-existing data sets to provide a starting point. Advantages and disadvantages of this method, together with the critical factors identified in the pilot study, are described. Whilst developed in child health, the lessons learned are relevant for any other client groups.
Mechtler
R
R
Forschungsinstitut f,r Pflege- und Gesundheitssystemforschung, Johannes Kepler Universitat, Linz, Austria. reli.mechtler@jk.uni-linz.ac.at
Rigby
M
M
Ritchie
W
W
D001317:Austria; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006113:United Kingdom