2. Uses of Health Information Flashcards
What is a trend?
A comparison of rates, requiring a numerator and denominator. It implies comparison over time, places, socio-economic groups etc.
Name two systematic errors involved in monitoring trends.
Numerator errors and denominator errors.
Give three examples of systematic numerator errors.
Death certification, disease diagnosis, classification/ coding errors.
Give three examples of systematic denominator errors.
The population used, population definition, population count/ estimate.
What are three causes of a change in trend?
Random variation, systematic variation (numerator/ denominator errors), real phenomenon (natural or medical care effects).
What thing do you have to be careful of when interpreting graphs and tables?
What data could be missing as well as that which is present.
What two things do you have to be careful with when interpreting trends?
Random variation and systematic variation.
What three factors should be considered when identifying health and healthcare needs?
How common, serious and expensive the thing is.
