Patient Safety Research in Medical Group Practices: Measurement and Data Challenges

Abstract

This paper attempts to identify and discuss some of the major challenges to conducting patient safety research in medical group practices. First, the authors identify the most important attributes of medical group practices to be considered in this type of research. The measurement and specification of these variables are discussed, and the problems associated with past research are noted. Alternate ways of specifying key variables are discussed, and examples of methods that have been shown to be effective are provided. The authors then propose a definition of patient safety and discuss issues around its measurement. Finally, they discuss how the data requirements for this type of research are very complex and outline benefits and challenges related to using certain types of data. Sections are as follows: specifying and measuring group practice variables; measuring patient safety; and data sources, including claims data, group practice surveys, patient surveys, self-reporting systems, and electronic medical records (EMRs).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA434010

Entities

People

  • Amy R. Wilson
  • Bryan E. Dowd
  • John E. Kralewski

Organizations

  • United States Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Best Practices
  • Drug Therapy
  • General Practice
  • Health
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Hospitals
  • Information Systems
  • Measurement
  • Medical Personnel
  • Motivation
  • Patient Care
  • Physicians
  • Prescription Drugs
  • Public Health
  • Standards

Readers

  • Medical or Health Care Field.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics