The General Practice Morbidity Database Project Wales--a methodology for primary care data extraction

There is a fundamental need for accurate, timely and relevant information for health service planning; the increasing focus on a primary care led NHS has made the collection of information from general practitioners a priority. A collaborative project between general practitioners and public health physicians in Wales has developed methodologies for the extraction and analysis of routinely collected data from general practices across Wales. Four commonly used computer systems have been investigated. This paper outlines the methodologies used and describes the problems encountered and their solutions.