Health service utilization in IBD: comparison of self-report and administrative data
2011

Comparing Self-Report and Administrative Data in Health Care Utilization for IBD

Sample size: 352 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Teresa Longobardi, John R. Walker, Lesley A. Graff, Charles N. Bernstein

Primary Institution: University of Manitoba

Hypothesis

The reliability of self-report regarding health care utilization in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is unknown.

Conclusion

Self-report data can be helpful in evaluating health service utilization, provided that the researcher is aware of the systematic sources of bias.

Supporting Evidence

  • 15% of respondents had an overnight hospitalization according to administrative data.
  • Self-report concordance was highly sensitive (92%) and specific (96%).
  • 97% of participants had contact with a physician in the previous year.

Takeaway

This study looked at how well people with inflammatory bowel disease remember their doctor visits and hospital stays. It found that while they often remember seeing doctors, they sometimes forget how many times they went.

Methodology

Participants reported their health care utilization through standardized interviews, which were then compared to administrative data from Manitoba Health.

Potential Biases

Self-reports may underestimate physician visits and overestimate hospital stays.

Limitations

The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to recall bias and inaccuracies.

Participant Demographics

Participants were adults diagnosed with IBD within 7 years of enrollment, with a mix of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6963-11-137

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