[Evaluating the coding reference system for morbidity in general medicine]

Many coding systems for morbidity seen in general medicine are currently available in France. This article proposes an approach to evaluating them. Firstly, it is proposed to specify the conceptual framework within which one includes the classificatory approach to health troubles in general medicine. This assumes that the notions of primary care, pathology and diagnosis are clarified in the light of the practices of general practitioners. Secondly, it is proposed to specify the framework of analysis within which one is situated in order to reach these systems of reference that all correspond to classificatory systems. For this, one can examine several dimensions: the purpose of the system, its criteria and main lines of classification, its method of construction, its underlying conceptual model, the type of collection required and the efficiency of data used. Once the conceptual framework is fixed and the framework of analysis chosen, it is possible to evaluate these classifications without ambiguity.