The use of federal and state databases to conduct health services research related to physical and occupational therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the characteristics of a number of secondary databases that have the potential to answer questions related to the use of, access to, and effectiveness of physical therapy (PT) and occupational therapy (OT).


METHODS
Federal and state databases maintained by the National Center for Health Statistics, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.


METHODS
Databases, described above, that were identified as having potential for answering questions related to the use and effectiveness of PT and OT were examined.


METHODS
The databases were explored to determine if PT and OT had sufficient representation, and if so, to identify potential questions that could be answered by examining the databases in more detail. Some of the advantages, disadvantages, and methodologic issues of using the databases were identified.


RESULTS
Several databases are available that can be used by researchers to increase our understanding of the use of, access to, and/or effectiveness of PT and OT. Many of the databases are most suited for examining issues related to the use of and access to these services. A few of the databases can be used to examine the effectiveness of PT and OT.


CONCLUSIONS
Secondary data analyses are a particularly useful, cost-effective, and efficient means for preliminary exploration of topics that are not well understood, such as the use of, access to, and effectiveness of PT and OT.
Freburger
Janet K
JK
Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, Division of Physical Therapy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7590, USA. janet_freburger@unc.edu
Konrad
Thomas R
TR
D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D016208:Databases, Factual; D006077:Government Agencies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States