Investigating the process of community profile compilation

Abstract

This paper presents the methodological approach and findings of one facet of a larger study. The main study, which had a health visiting focus, was concerned with an in-depth investigation of the value of the community profile approach in needs assessment and contracting for family health care from the perspective of one general practitioner (GP) fundholding practice 1 . The paper provides a critical review of the data collection processes involved in the compilation of a community profile for one area within the context of the NHS reforms 2 , identifying appropriate data sources and evaluating them for accessibility, practical use and reliability and validity. In the wider study, a method to aggregate data sources and translate health need into meaningful service specifications for purchasing was developed.