| Sub-title | |
| Authors | J K Soler Inge M Okkes |
| Abstract | Background: Since 1996 the first author has been proposing research in Family Medicine using Electronic Medical Records (EMR) to collect data. The authors have been collaborating on just such a project in Malta along the lines of the successful Transition project, which has run and continues to run in various countries around the world. The data from 2001 and 2002 is presented. Aim: To study routine family practice activity in selected family practices in Malta using an EMR to collect data. To study practice activity and patient population profile. To identify common reasons for encounter and health problems encountered and treated by family physicians, and to study process of care including referral and prescription activity within an episode of care structure. To compare data from various areas and practices, and to study the characteristics of family practice in Malta and compare it with family practice in other countries. Method: A group of ten doctors in solo and group practice, working full or part-time as private Family Physicians all over Malta, have been recruited for this study. Participating doctors have been trained to use a customised EMR in their everyday clinical practice. Clinical data are structured in an episode-oriented format and are classified using ICPC-2-E. Data from all doctors has been collected and collated in a common database, and the detailed analysis of the data from 2001 and 2002 is presented. Results: Data has been collected from 31,945 encounters with 9,704 patients in 2001/2 (4,512 male) dealing with 31,435 episodes of care with 41,074 diagnoses recorded. Patients presented 56,840 reasons for encounter, and doctors performed 83,746 interventions, 1,930 referrals and 24,766 prescriptions. Detailed analysis of all the above data is possible since all have been coded precisely. Results will be discussed, and compared with similar studies using ICPC and ICPC-2 in the past Similarities and contrasts will be highlighted and discussed, including: Practice population profile Practice activity, including home visits, clinic visits, telephone consultations, etc., by year and month Reasons for encounter, requests for interventions, process of care, and diagnosis, with top 40 lists of each Incidence and prevalence of diseases by age/sex Distributions of health problems structured as episodes-of-care Prescriptions, referrals, and investigations Conclusions: This is the first long-term epidemiological study from Family Practice in Malta, and will provide an opportunity to demonstrate similarities and contrasts between Maltese Family Practice and that in other countries. The authors trust that the discussion will be very active and will help to stimulate the development of this project. |
Published in: | |
| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
| Pages | - |
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| Key words | family practice, electronic medical records |