Computerisation, coding, data retrieval and related attitudes among Swedish general practitioners-a survey of necessary conditions for a database of diseases and health problems.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate necessary conditions for the establishment of a database of diseases and health problems for research and health care planning, based on electronic patient records in everyday clinical use among general practitioners (GPs). DESIGN: Postal questionnaire study. SETTING: Primary health care in Sweden. SUBJECTS: Three hundred randomly selected GPs. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Degree of computerisation of patient records. User frequency and characteristics of diagnosis classification systems and coding tools. Frequency of coding activities and retrieval of codes, and related attitudes. Opinions on a primary health care version of ICD-10. RESULTS: A total of 184 GPs (61% of the 300 GPs) were included in the study. About 92% used an electronic record system, some type of diagnostic classification was used by 93%, and ICD based classifications by 88%. The classification in use was computerised for 74%. Mainly simple tools were used to retrieve diagnostic codes. About 76% of GPs reported classifying at least one symptom or disease per encounter. The codes were retrieved 'once a month' or more by 19%. Classification of diseases was considered important for follow-up by 83%, and for the care of the patient by 75% of the GPs. The primary health care version of ICD-10 with a total of 972 codes was considered too limited in size by 31%. CONCLUSION: Electronic patient records in everyday clinical use in Swedish general practice provide several fundamentals for a database of diagnostic data. However, there are several barriers to the establishment of such a database that is both valid and reliable.