Completeness and accuracy of anthropometric measurements in electronic medical records for children attending primary care

Sarah Carsley,Patricia C Parkin,Catherine S Birken,Karen Tu,Eleanor Pullenayegum

doi:10.14236/jhi.v25i1.963

Abstract

BackgroundElectronic medical records (EMRs) from primary care may be a feasible source of height and weight data. However, the use of EMRs in research has been impeded by lack of...

Highlights

METHODSThe use of electronic medical records (EMRs) in primary health care has recently improved in Canada with estimates of physician uptake increasing from 37% in 2009 to 75% in 2015.1,2 Using primary care Electronic medical records (EMRs) to measure, track and evaluate childhood obesity have been proposed for multiple reasons
Data completeness at well-child visits and overall data accuracy were greater than 90%
EMRs may be a valid source of data to provide estimates of obesity in children who attend primary care

Summary

Introduction

METHODSThe use of electronic medical records (EMRs) in primary health care has recently improved in Canada with estimates of physician uptake increasing from 37% in 2009 to 75% in 2015.1,2 Using primary care EMRs to measure, track and evaluate childhood obesity have been proposed for multiple reasons. The overarching goal of this study was to assess the feasibility of using anthropometric data from primary care EMRs to generate prevalence estimates of childhood obesity. Electronic medical records (EMRs) from primary care may be a feasible source of height and weight data. Objectives The study objectives were to determine the data completeness and accuracy of child heights and weights collected in primary care EMRs, and to identify factors associated with these data quality attributes. Methods A cross-sectional study examining height and weight data for children

Objectives

Results

Conclusion