@article{collins2014strengthening,
  title = {Strengthening the Foundation of General Practice Evidence in Ireland by Addressing the Data Quality Issues in a Structured Secondary Prevention Programme for Cardiovascular Disease},
  author = {Claire Collins and Caitriona Finn and Brian Meade and Fionan O’Cuinneagain},
  year = 2014,
  url = {https://ibimapublishing.com/articles/JMED/2014/315020/},
  journal = {JMED Research},
  volume = 2014 (2014),
  pages = 6,
  doi = 10.5171/2014.315020,
  abstract = {The Heartwatch Programme provides a structure and protocol for the continuing care of patients for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease in general practice in Ireland. The database consists of 17,399 patients and 185,855 consultations. The Independent National Data Centre (INDC) receives data from the participating practices and is responsible for data management and report production. Some of the data quality issues identified resulted because the concept of evaluation had not been fully taken on board at the commencement of the programme, and a data quality management process was not instituted from the outset. Strategies for managing and improving data quality were developed and the system design and protocols enhanced.  The INDC system features full automation of the data processing to ensure it meets the agreed data quality targets; it features online facilities for both participating practices and the central administration to upload, check and correct data in addition to running  financial reports and pre-defined and customized GP, regional and national demographic and clinical reports. The programme has involved considerable change management within general practice which has had far reaching benefits in many areas in addition to coronary heart disease prevention. As noted internationally, there is substantial potential to capitalize on the economy of scale benefits to establish other healthcare programmes and projects which also necessitate reliable and valid data capture from general practice. The experience and learning about data quality from general practice, a large sector of the health care service, will facilitate other structured care programmes in this sector and throughout the healthcare environment.},
  keywords = {General practice; data quality; information and communication technology (ICT); secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.},
  note = Article ID: 315020
}