title: Evaluation of an integrated system for classification, assessment and comparison of services for long-term care in Europe: the eDESDE-LTC study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The harmonization of European health systems brings with it a need for tools to allow the standardized collection of information about medical care. A common coding system and standards for the description of services are needed to allow local data to be incorporated into evidence-informed policy, and to permit equity and mobility to be assessed. The aim of this project has been to design such a classification and a related tool for the coding of services for Long Term Care (DESDE-LTC), based on the European Service Mapping Schedule (ESMS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The development of DESDE-LTC followed an iterative process using nominal groups in 6 European countries. 54 researchers and stakeholders in health and social services contributed to this process. In order to classify services, we use the minimal organization unit or "Basic Stable Input of Care" (BSIC), coded by its principal function or "Main Type of Care" (MTC). The evaluation of the tool included an analysis of feasibility, consistency, ontology, inter-rater reliability, Boolean Factor Analysis, and a preliminary impact analysis (screening, scoping and appraisal).
  
  
  RESULTS
  DESDE-LTC includes an alpha-numerical coding system, a glossary and an assessment instrument for mapping and counting LTC. It shows high feasibility, consistency, inter-rater reliability and face, content and construct validity. DESDE-LTC is ontologically consistent. It is regarded by experts as useful and relevant for evidence-informed decision making.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DESDE-LTC contributes to establishing a common terminology, taxonomy and coding of LTC services in a European context, and a standard procedure for data collection and international comparison.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Disability Research and Policy Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, 75 East St Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW 2141, Australia. luis.salvador-carulla@sydney.edu.au
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salvador-Carulla
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Galvez
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Romero
authors.forename: Mencia R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Colosía
authors.forename: Germain
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McDaid
authors.forename: Hristo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dimitrov
authors.forename: Lilijana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sprah
authors.forename: Birgitte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kalseth
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tibaldi
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Salinas-Perez
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lagares-Franco
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Romá-Ferri
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D059019:Clinical Coding / Q000592:standards*; D016208:Databases, Factual; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated; D005060:Europe; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000145:classification / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards