It is possible that we failed to include some eligible cases where general practitioners coded diagnoses rather than symptoms.
We found that a wide range of different codes were being used to represent the same clinical problem, some practitioners coded in a highly specific way while others were much less specific using high level codes.
Almost 60% of general practitioners are coding chronic diagnoses with 20% coding individual consultations.
Most (59.6%) of the responding general practitioners were coding chronic diagnoses with 20% of responders coding individual consultations.
We are reliant on the quality of general practitioner coding in the GPRD dataset.
The index group of 'Psychotic disorders' covers the entire range of psychotic disorders in the general practitioner coding system (ICPC).
Discussions with practitioners, at the time of the baseline data workshop and presentation revealed inconsistent use of codes, others using high level non-specific codes (e.g. family history of cancer) rather than disease specific codes.
Practitioners were coded into mutually exclusive practitioner types based on their licensure: psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed social worker, nurse (advanced registered nurse practitioner, registered nurse, or registered nurse clinical specialist), or master's level/licensed counselor.
Practitioner codes of ethics and conduct are discussed.
Measures: practitioner code, applied compression force (N), breast thickness (mm), BIRADS density category.
GP: General Practitioner Code entries did not always correspond to a correct ICPC-2 code.
