Capture, Coding, and Reporting of Health Care and Medicine Information in Australian Workers' Compensation Systems.

Abstract

This study aims to characterize the approaches to collecting, coding, and reporting health care and medicines data within Australian workers' compensation schemes. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of data and information professionals in major Australian workers' compensation jurisdictions. Questionnaires were developed with input from key informants and a review of existing documentation. Twenty-five participants representing regulators (40%) and insurers (60%) with representation from all Australian jurisdictions were included. Health care and medicines data sources, depth, coding standards, and reporting practices exhibited significant variability across the Australian workers' compensation schemes. Substantial variability exists in the capture, coding, and reporting of health care and medicine data in Australian workers' compensation jurisdictions. There are opportunities to advance understanding of medicines and health service delivery in these schemes through greater harmonization of data collection, data coding, and reporting.