Seven Steps to the Design and Implementation
of a Population Health Status Survey
STEP
1: Determine the Purpose
Before data are collected, three essential questions need to be
answered: 1) What is the purpose for collecting these data? 2)
Who will be using this data? 3) How can the data be applied?
STEP
2: Finalize the Survey
I believe that using high-yield survey methods, large sample sizes,
and highly respected and validated instruments such as the Group
Health Association of America Consumer Satisfaction Survey, the
Primary Care Assessment Survey (PCAS), the Short Form 12 (SF-12),
and the Carter Center Health Risk Questions (BRFS) produce reliable
results. This survey instrument is then tailored for each community
based on local characteristics. A team of community leaders is
often assembled to provide advice and guidance about the implementations
of a survey before it is initiated.
STEP
3: Collect the Data
The process I employ for information gathering follows three basic
steps:
- 1.
a random sampling of the general population;
- 2.
conducting discussion groups
of consumers and providers; and
- 3.
collection and analysis of secondary
data, including community demographics, morbidity
and mortality rates, costs and utilization of health services.
STEP
4: Interpret the data
This part of the process is integrating the data collected from
all of the sources and using it to establish population health
profiles and to identify areas of opportunity for health improvement.
STEP
5: Translate for the Audience Identified
This part of the process involves the translating the collected
data to the community discussion group.
STEP
6: Communicate the findings
- 1.
Share the findings and their implications with community
policymakers and enlist their support for intervention
efforts.
- 2.
Form partnerships with your local media
to get your message out -- emphasizing the importance the
media can play in the dissemination of the CHSA data as
well as necessary health education information.
STEP
7: Measure Changes Over Time
One of our main discoveries in our work is the importance of collaboration,
or the formulation of partnerships in order to
effect meaningful and sustainable improvements in health status.
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