Title
Assessing comparability of dressing disability in different countries by response conversion
Author
van Buuren, S.
Eyres, S.
Tennant, A.
Hopman-Rock, M.
TNO Preventie en Gezondheid
Publication year
2003
Abstract
Background: Comparability of health data is a major challenge within the context of the Health Monitoring Programme of the European Commission. A common problem in surveys is that many variations of essentially the same question exist. Methods: Response conversion is a new method for improving comparability by scaling the data onto a common scale. Comparisons between member states can then be made in terms of the common scale. A first step is the construction of a conversion key. This is a relatively complex activity, but needs to be done only once. The second step is the actual data transformation. This is simple, and can be repeatedly done on a routine basis as new information arrives. Construction of the key is only possible if enough overlapping information can be found. Results: The method is illustrated for dressing disability from five European countries. Differences occur between countries, between sexes and between age groups. These were similar in magnitude. Conclusion: Response conversion is a new method for enhancing comparability among existing data. Conversion can only be done if a key is available. More work is needed to establish the technique. Future implications within the Health Monitoring Programme are discussed.
Subject
Healthy for Life
Health
Healthy Living
Comparability
Dressing disability
Item response theory
Post-harmonization
Response conversion
adult
aged
article
daily life activity
disability
female
health care management
health program
human
male
medical information system
priority journal
theory
Activities of Daily Living
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Clothing
Cross-Cultural Comparison
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Disabled Persons
Europe
European Union
Female
Health Status Indicators
Humans
International Cooperation
Male
Middle Aged
Population Surveillance
Public Health Informatics
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TNO identifier
237268
ISSN
1101-1262
Source
European Journal of Public Health, 13 (3 SUPPL.), 15-19
Document type
article