An ethnographic study of improving data collection and completeness in large-scale data exercises

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Medical Informatics
• Organizational Behavior

Background:

• Large-scale data collection is vital for healthcare improvement but faces challenges in clinical center engagement and data completeness.
• This study examines improvements in data submission and completion rates during a key phase of two national clinical audits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore strategies that enhanced data submission and completion rates in large-scale healthcare data collection exercises.
• To understand the role of clinical leadership in overcoming barriers to comprehensive data gathering.

Main Methods:

• An ethnographic study was conducted, involving 90 interviews and 47 days of non-participant observation.
• The study focused on two UK national clinical audits before mandatory data submission for clinical standards.

Main Results:

• Clinical leaders reframed 'data work' as a professionalization strategy, linking high-quality data submission to professional responsibility, transparency, and public interest.
• Improvements in data rates were achieved through leadership tactics that emphasized professional duty, overcoming clinician resistance.
• Persistent challenges stemmed from practical issues in data acquisition, recording, and submission, rather than principled objections.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing data quality in large-scale healthcare initiatives necessitates collaboration with clinical centers.
• Professional leadership in data management offers advantages, but practical obstacles to data collection must be addressed.
• Framing data work as a professional duty is crucial for improving participation and data quality.