Table 3 Data collection procedures of the participating GP networks in the EURO SENTIMELC study 2009-2010
Data collection procedures | Belgium | The Netherlands | Italy | Spain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Frequency and mode of reporting | Weekly reporting Paper and pencil | Weekly reporting Paper and pencil | Weekly reporting online web based registration (Emailing with memo sent weekly) | No weekly reporting: deaths are reported the week of the event; however GPs are used to send in a weekly report form on other health problems |
Paper and pencil for Castilly y Léon; electronic registry for Valencia | ||||
Extra quality control measures | -selection of regular participating GPs (registered 26 weeks or more of one year) | -selection of regular participating GPs (registered 26 weeks or more of one year) | -it concerned a new network only involving GPs that agreed to participate for a whole year | -selection of regular participating GPs (registered 26 weeks or more of one year) |
-data entry by the Institute of Public Health using dbase-based programme to prevent key punching errors, double data entry by VUB | -data entry by researchers, 5% with double data entry | -web based application needing no data entry and ensuring all necessary items are filled in | -data entry by province coordinators, using dbase-based programme to prevent key punching errors; no double data entry | |
-automatic follow-up forms to prevent missing data for key variables; telephone contact with GP also possible | -reminders send by NIVEL after checking for missing data on key variables; if necessary telephone contact with GP | -weekly reminders (an e-mail with a memo was sent weekly to assure the ready reporting of deceased cases) | -reminders to GPs when missing data or inconsistencies | |
-GPs received summaries of all reported deaths after each year of registration (2005–2006 to verify for possible non-response (e.g. GPs who forgot to report one of their deaths) | -GPs have patient lists | -GPs have patient lists | -GPs have patient lists | |
Anonymity procedures | -anonimization of patient data upon data entry | -anonimization of patient data upon data entry | -anonimization of patient data when registering | -anonimization of patient data upon data entry in Castilla and after data recording in Valencia |
-anonimization of physician data when closing database | -anonimization of physician data when closing database | -anonimization of physician data when closing database | -anonimization of physician data when closing database | |
Training for GPs | -registration instructions each year | -registration instructions each year | -registration instructions via coordinating GPs per health district at the beginning of the year | -registration instructions each year |
-yearly individualized feedback on basic parameters | -yearly presenting of results on meeting of participating GPs | -yearly individualized feedback on basic parameters |