Utilization of health-related data in the regional context for health service planning in the Federal State of Brandenburg, Germany—a qualitative study

Abstract

Abstract Background Utilizing regional health data goes hand in hand with challenges: can they be used for health planning, are they applicable to the relevant topics? The study explores current data utilization and needs of stakeholders working in regional health services planning. Methods We conducted 16 semi-structured expert-interviews with stakeholders of regional health planning in Brandenburg, a federal state in the north-east of Germany, by telephone or online-meeting tools between 05/2022 and 03/2023. The data were analysed according to qualitative content analysis. Results Utilization of data sources depends on individual knowledge and personnel resources instead of being guided by standardized procedures. Interviewees primarily use internal data; some use many different platforms, studies and reports. Regional health-related data are used for reliable health planning, to prepare resolutions, draft contracts, but also for events and requests from policy makers or the press. Challenges exist in terms of availability, awareness, and acceptance of the data, perceived applicability, the ability to use it and the utilization itself. Many regional health planners indicated they would appreciate a regional integrated cross-organizational data source if the benefits for health planning outweighed the efforts. Discussion Actors in health planning primarily utilized their own data for planning; additional data sources are not available or the level of aggregation is too high, not known by them or are often not used due to a lack of time. A standardized regional monitoring would require the definition of indicators as well as the strengthening of cross-sectoral planning.

Keywords

• Regional health planning
• Health atlas
• Unwarranted variation
• Geographic variation
• Qualitative study
• Data sources