Urban-rural health differences: primary care data and self reported data render different results.
OBJECTIVE
Assessing the usefulness of GP electronic medical records for assessing the health of rural populations by comparing these data with data from health interview surveys.


METHODS
Data from electronic medical records routinely recorded in general practices in 2000-2002. Data on self-reported health problems were obtained through questionnaires in a subset of the same patient population.


RESULTS
According to GP-records, acute somatic and chronic diseases were more frequently presented in rural areas. At the same time self reported health problems point to a better health in rural areas.


CONCLUSIONS
GP electronic medical records may be used to monitor the health of rural populations. These data can be obtained relatively quickly and easily and against acceptable cost. However, they do not give the same outcomes as health interview surveys. Reasons for this discrepancy may be; differences in the accessibility of specialist services and help seeking behaviour between urban and rural populations.
Kroneman
Madelon
M
NIVEL, Netherlands Institute of Health Services Research, P.O. Box 1568, 3500 BN Utrecht, The Netherlands. m.kroneman@nivel.nl
Verheij
Robert
R
Tacken
Margot
M
van der Zee
Jouke
J
D015982:Bias; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D057286:Electronic Health Records / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*