Peter Achterberg

Towards quality criteria for regional public health reporting : Concept mapping with Dutch experts

Background: In the Netherlands, municipal health assessments are carried out by 28 Regional Health Services, serving 418 municipalities. In the absence of guidelines, regional public health reports were developed in two pilot regions on the basis of the model and experience of national health reporting. Though they were well received and positively evaluated, it was not clear which specific characteristics determined ‘good public health reporting’. Therefore, this study was set up to develop a theoretical framework for the quality of regional public health reporting in The Netherlands. Methods: Using concept mapping as a standardized tool for conceptualization, 35 relevant reporting experts formulated short statements in two different brainstorming sessions, describing specific quality criteria of regional public health reports. After the removal of duplicates, the list was supplemented with international criteria, and the statements were sent to each participant for rating and sorting. The results were processed statistically and represented graphically. The output was discussed and interpreted, leading to the final concept map. Results: The final concept map consisted of 97 criteria, grouped into 13 clusters, and plotted in two dimensions: a ‘product’ dimension, ranging from ‘production’ to ‘content’, and a ‘context’ dimension, ranging from ‘science’ to ‘policy’. The three most important clusters were: (i) ‘solution orientation’, (ii) ‘policy relevance’ and (iii) ‘policy impact’. Conclusion: This study provided a theoretical framework for the quality of regional public health reporting, indicating relevant domains and criteria. Further work should translate domains and criteria into operational indicators for evaluating regional public health reports.

European community health monitoring: the EUPHIX-model

Aims: On 20 June 2008, the EUPHIX website (www.euphix.org) was officially launched. EUPHIX aims to provide policy relevant health information, data and knowledge for policy makers, public health experts and educated lay people in the European Union (EU). The project was carried out by a partnership of European health reporting experts. Methods: The conceptual structure of EUPHIX resembles the one used for the ECHI-indicator framework, but adds health policies. EUPHIX includes texts (EUphacts) next to indicator data, as well as links to organizations, data and literature. Other contributions, called EUphocus, address broader agenda issues, such as mental health and health inequalities. Some EUphocus contributions contain summarized outcomes of EU projects. In this sense, EUPHIX has a European platform function as well. Behind the surface of the EUPHIX website lies a complex internet application, including databases, i.e. for indicator data, for internal and external web links and for references and definitions. This back-office contains a Content Management System that guides an editorial process allowing the differentiation of the roles of authors, reviewers and content editors. User oriented functionalities include different ways to interactively manipulate data for personal presentation needs. Some EUphacts are linked to the Health-EU Portal. Results: EUPHIX is drawing increasing numbers of visitors and has the potential to become the nucleus of a health monitoring system for the EU. However, current financing practice puts serious limits to its sustainability. Conclusions: The conclusion is that the EUPHIX model launched in June 2008 is integrating data, information and knowledge into a new type of Health Information System. The EUPHIX model is proposed to be the future model for EU health reporting.

Key features of an EU health information system: a concept mapping study

BACKGROUNDnDespite the acknowledged value of an EU health information system (EU-HISys) and the many achievements in this field, the landscape is still heavily fragmented and incomplete. Through a systematic analysis of the opinions and valuations of public health stakeholders, this study aims to conceptualize key features of an EU-HISys.nnnMETHODSnPublic health professionals and policymakers were invited to participate in a concept mapping procedure. First, participants (N = 34) formulated statements that reflected their vision of an EU-HISys. Second, participants (N = 28) rated the relative importance of each statement and grouped conceptually similar ones. Principal Component and cluster analyses were used to condense these results to EU-HISys key features in a concept map. The number of key features and the labelling of the concept map were determined by expert consensus.nnnRESULTSnThe concept map contains 10 key features that summarize 93 statements. The map consists of a horizontal axis that represents the relevance of an organizational strategy, which deals with the efforts to design and develop an EU-HISys and the achievements gained by a functioning EU-HISys. The vertical axis represents the professional orientation of the EU-HISys, ranging from the scientific through to the policy perspective. The top ranking statement expressed the need to establish a system that is permanent and sustainable. The top ranking key feature focuses on data and information quality.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThis study provides insights into key features of an EU-HISys. The results can be used to guide future planning and to support the development of a health information system for Europe.

The development of an empirical model for regional public health reporting. A descriptive study in two Dutch pilot regions

Aim: To develop and describe an empirical model for regional public health reporting, based on the model and experience of the Dutch national Public Health Status and Forecasts (PHSF) as well as on relevant theories and literature. Methods: Three basic requirements were chosen in a preparatory feasibility study: the products to be developed, the project organization of the pilot study, and a regional elaboration of the conceptual model of the national PHSF. Subsequently, from November 2005 to June 2007, a regional PHSF was developed in two Dutch pilot regions, to serve as a base for the empirical model for regional public health reporting. Results: The developed empirical regional PHSF model consists of different products for different purposes and target groups. Regional and Municipal Reports aim to underpin strategic regional and local public health policy. Websites contain up-to-date information, aiming to underpin tactical regional and local public health policy by providing building blocks for translating strategic policy priorities into concrete plans of action. Numerous stakeholders are involved in the development of a regional PHSF. The developed empirical process model for a regional PHSF connects to the theoretical framework in which interaction between researchers and policymakers is an important condition for the use of research data in public health policy. Conclusions: The empirical model for a regional PHSF can be characterized by its 1) products, 2) content and design, and 3) underlying process and organization. This empirical model can be seen as a first step in the direction of a generic model for regional public health reporting.

Een gezonde toekomst? Ouderen in 2030

SamenvattingHoe zullen de volksgezondheid en zorg zich in Nederland tot 2030 ontwikkelen als er veel meer ouderen komen? We putten daarvoor uit de nieuwste Volksgezondheid Toekomst Verkenningen van het RIVM (VTV-2014). Voor deze VTV is een trendscenario ontwikkeld waarin – op basis van simulatiemodellen – bestaande trends worden doorgetrokken naar 2030 zonder dat er nieuw beleid zal zijn. We presenteren hier een selectie uit dat trendscenario. Daarnaast bespreken we kort vier maatschappelijke perspectieven uit de VTV-2010, die het beleid en stakeholders kunnen helpen in het identificeren van kansen en keuzes voor het beleid, bijvoorbeeld rond ouderenzorg.