Developing a non-categorical measure of child health using administrative data

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Health Research
• Health Services Research
• Data Science in Healthcare

Background:

• Limited research exists on using linked administrative data for child health studies.
• This study explores applying a survey-based tool, the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Screener, to administrative data.
• Investigates the feasibility of using non-categorical screening tools in large datasets.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the applicability of the CSHCN Screener using administrative health data.
• To validate the use of specific Screener items within a linked administrative dataset.
• To identify children with special health care needs in a population-based cohort.

Main Methods:

• Utilized five items from the CSHCN Screener.
• Applied these items to linked administrative health data from Population Data British Columbia.
• Examined hospital admissions, demographics, and community characteristics for children aged 6-10 in 2006.

Main Results:

• 17.5% of children were identified as CSHCN.
• Significant proportions required more medical care (14%), had functional limitations (5.2%), or needed specific treatments (3.3% medication, 1.9% counseling, 0.1% therapy).
• Boys were identified as CSHCN more frequently than girls.

Conclusions:

• The CSHCN Screener demonstrates potential for application to Canadian administrative health data.
• Identified specific subgroups of children requiring additional health services.
• Highlights the utility of administrative data for child health surveillance and research, despite some limitations.