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Collecting Patient Race/Ethnicity and Primary Language Data in Ambulatory Care Settings: A Case Study in Methodology |
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| Authors: | Latha P. Palaniappan Eric C. Wong Jessica J. Shin Maria R. Moreno Regina Otero-Sabogal |
| Affiliation: | Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute (PAMFRI), 795 El Camino Real, Ames Building, Palo Alto, CA 94301;, Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute (PAMFRI), Palo Alto, CA;, Sutter Health Institute for Research and Education (SHIRE), San Francisco, CA;, University of California, San Francisco, Institute for Health and Aging, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences School of Nursing, San Francisco, CA |
| Abstract: | Objective. To collect patient race/ethnicity and language (r/e/l) in an ambulatory care setting. Data Sources/Study Setting. The Palo Alto Medical Foundation (PAMF), December 2006–May 2008. Study Design. Three pilot studies: (1) Comparing mail versus telephone versus clinic visit questionnaire distribution; (2) comparing the front desk method (FDM) versus exam room method (ERM) in the clinic visit; and (3) determining resource allocation necessary for data entry. Data Collection/Extraction Methods. Studies were planned and executed by PAMF's Quality and Planning division. Principal Findings. Collecting r/e/l data during clinic visits elicited the highest response rate. The FDM yielded higher response rate than the ERM. One full-time equivalent is initially necessary for data entry. Conclusions. Conducting sequential studies can help guide r/e/l collection in a short time frame. |
| Keywords: | Racial/ethnic differences in health and health care health care organizations and systems demography survey research and questionnaire design quality of care/patient safety (measurement) |