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17. POSSIBLE COMPILATION PROCESSES
Principles and analytical use
In SHA 1.0 as well as in the Guidelines (EUROSTAT) and the Producer Guide (WHO) some attention is given to possible compilation processes. Also in the Joint Questionnaire, there is some focus on the problem but certainly not sufficient and not always consistently. However the rules and processes set out in the Guidelines and the Producer Guide may be a good starting point.
To be able to determine the comparability across countries and consistency across time it is imperative to have information on how data are compiled, calculated, estimated etc. Meta data are necessary to provide insight in the actual processes.
The principles in compilation are basically the same as in national accounts. Emphasis may be on preventing double counting and white spots in the accounting framework. Data sources need to be described. Another important starting principle is that the new system should be easier to use.
For policy purposes usually, the final data sets created are to be supplemented by more recent data. This means that producing data with a time lag of less than one year is also necessary, but at a high level of aggregation. For this now-casting rules and guidelines need to be produced as well.
Key Issues
Key issues relate to descriptions of the procedures used in the calculation or estimation also to prevent double counting and prevent or clarify the white spots in the system. Data sources and metadata are indispensable. Another key issue relates to the ease of use of estimation processes (possibly including multi-layered solutions, i.e. different levels of details for different countries).
Estimation techniques are to be simple and accompanied by clear examples. Calculation and estimation techniques and procedures should ultimately result in a standardised set, a cook book, to be used by all countries.
In creating the information and data leading up to a set of accounts that will ultimately result in the set of required tables, various starting points can be used. The process of calculation can start by using the data in the provider classification, the data available on financing arrangements or in the functions that constitute the actual boundary of the health system. Each of these three approaches
needs it own set of guidelines but in the end the integration process needs to produce one single integrated data set. A key issue in building the data structures is to produce consistency across all dimensions (not only the three core dimensions).
Another key issue has to so with the data itself. Not all cells in a database are being filled, but the reasons for these lacking data are not identical. As an example the following positions which are used for EUROSTAT publications are provided:
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: Not available, confidential or unreliable value
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- Not applicable or zero by default
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0 Less than half the final digit shown and greater than real zero
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