A Study of the Impact of the Use of General Practice Computer Systems on the Ordering of Pathology, Year Ending December 2001
- Overview
- Quality Framework
- A. General Information
- B. User Requirements, Survey Objectives and Budget
- C. Alternative Sources of Data
- D. Data Outputs
- E. Questionnaire Design and Data Collection
- F. Respondent Load
- G. Population / Frame *** You are here ***
- G1 Target population
- G2 Frame
- G3 Type of unit on frame
- G4 Number of units on frame
- G5 About the units on frame
- G6 Deficiences in frame
- G7 Action taken on deficiencies
For repeating surveys only... - G8 Frame updates
- H. Sample Design
- I. Estimation and Analysis
G. Population / Frame
What is the target population (scope) for the survey? (G1)
Note. The "target population", or "scope" of the survey, is the population about which information is sought. This section should include any geographical, industrial and size constraints.
- The target population is all practising General Practitioners in Australia.
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How will you obtain the list of businesses (frame) from which the sample is to be selected? (G2)
- The sample frame planned is the Australian Medical Publishing Company Data Base of GPs
- We regularly compare doctor registrations from each state Medical Board against the listees on our database and obtain details of new doctors from the Post Graduate Medical Councils each year. Additionally, with GPs... AMPCo maintains the circulations of RACGP publications which go to all GP's and we are synchronised with their membership database.
This list contains a comprehensive listing of all practising GPs in Australia (numbering approximately 20,000) . The list is considered to be a better list (more up-to-date) than the HIC databases used for other GP surveys.
For further information about the list see the following comments from AMPCO:
About AMPCo
AMPCo, is a subsidiary of the Australian Medical Association (AMA), and owns and manages The Medical Masterfile of Australia, Australia’s most comprehensive and accurate database of healthcare professionals and services. The Medical Masterfile of Australia database contains wide-ranging profile and contact information and is extensively used for everyday communications between the health industry, the business community and government.
Sources of Information and Updates
Where does AMPCo’s data come from?
AMPCo makes over 360,000 updates to its core database information each year to keep our data as accurate and comprehensive as possible.
Lists
Lists can be rented for mailings by advising us of what types of doctors, other healthcare professionals, or healthcare facilities. Initially, we will provide you with a yield confirming the exact quantity of contacts selected and estimated costs for rental. Upon your approval we then prepare a file with the names and preferred mailing address for mailing.
Current lists available for direct mail
Australian Lists Quantity People | Approx. |
| Doctors | 56,000 (total) 42,500 (in practice)* |
| 6,050 |
| 1,567 |
| 115 |
| 2,950 |
| 270 |
| 650 |
| 1,350 |
| 6,100 |
 | |
| Places | |
| 4,100 |
| 17,600** |
| 770 |
| 5,070 |
| 359 |
| 56 |
| 2,450 |
| 344 |
| 490*** |
** Excludes Hospital Group Practices and Group Practices under verification.
*** Includes Self-Help Groups
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What is the type of unit on the frame to be used for the survey? (G3)
Note. For non-ABS surveys, some examples of type of unit are: farms, farmers, IT sector firms, and employer. For ABS surveys, examples include: location, establishment, management unit, enterprise, and employer.
- The survey unit is individual practising General Practitioners.
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How many units are there on the frame? (G4)
Note. This refers to the total number of units, not the number of types of unit nor the sample size.
- Approximately 20,004.
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What information is on the frame about these units? (G5)
Note. Should list all the information that is on the frame, eg, name, address, employment size, industry classification, whether the unit is in private or public sector, and the like.
- A variety of data are available in the main database. However, the frame that will be constructed for this study will contain the following fields:
Title
Name
Address
Telephone
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In what ways does the coverage provided by the frame differ from the target population? (G6)
Note. Should include: an estimate of the proportion of units expected to be defunct (ie. no longer in business); an estimate of the proportion of units expected to be out of scope; and an estimate of the number and type of units expected to be in scope but not covered on the frame.
- No difference, the frame is comprehensive.
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G7 Action taken on deficiencies
What actions have been taken to overcome known frame deficiencies? (G7)
- None.
N/A
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For repeating surveys only...
G8 Frame updates
How will the frame be updated for future survey cycles? (G8)
- N/A.
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