Concept help - Indicator
Table of Contents
A health indicator is a single measure that is reported on regularly and that provides relevant and actionable information about population health and/or health system performance and characteristics. An indicator can provide comparable information, as well as track progress and performance over time.
Health indicators support provinces/territories, regional health authorities and facilities as they monitor the health of their populations and track how well their local health systems function. Canadian Institute for Health Information - Indicators
The drivers for standard development arise from the need for better information - whether it is statistical, administrative, clinical or other information. This ensures the data used in statistics is compatible and it facilitates National and International interoperability. Australian Institute for Health and Welfare - About Indicators
Tips for creating Indicators
Indicators should be clearly defined and specify the Data Elements used in their calculations. If the resulting value type of an Indicator is known ahead of time it can be specified by attaching a Value Domain to clearly code the value and provides a valuable linkage to other similar indicators.
Once an indicator has been saved, numerator and denominator Data Elements as well as Outcome Areas can be attached from the Indicator page.
Fields available on this metadata type
| Field | ISO definition |
|---|---|
| Name | The primary name used for human identification purposes. |
| Definition | Representation of a concept by a descriptive statement which serves to differentiate it from related concepts. (3.2.39) |
| Is Federated | |
| Is Not Federable | |
| Version | Unique version identifier of this metadata item. |
| References | Significant documents that contributed to the development of the metadata item which were not the direct source for the metadata content. |
| Origin | The source (e.g. document, project, discipline or model) for the item (8.1.2.2.3.5) |
| Comments | Descriptive comments about the metadata item (8.1.2.2.3.4) |
| Deleted | The date after which the item has been soft deleted and is no longer visible in the registry |
| Computation Description | The plain text description of the formulae used to calculate an indicator. |
| Computation | A group of symbols that make a formal mathematical statement. |
| Numerator Description | A description of the number above the line in a fraction showing how many of the parts indicated by the denominator are taken. |
| Denominator Description | A description of the number below the line in a fraction. |
| Disaggregation Description | A description of the number that has been separated into smaller component parts. |
| Quality Statement | A statement of multiple quality dimensions for the purpose of assessing the quality of the data for reporting against this Indicator. |
| Rationale | A designation or description of the application environment or discipline in which an indicator is applied or from which it originates, as well as a justification for inclusion of the indicator. |
| Benchmark | A standard, or point of reference, against which things can be compared, assessed, measured or judged. |
| Reporting Information | The agreement arrangements under which the Indicator is reportable. |
Official Definition
A particular characteristic or dimension used to measure intended changes defined by an organisational unit’s results framework. Performance indicators are used to observe progress and to measure actual results compared to expected results. They serve to answer “how” or “whether” a unit is progressing towards its objectives, rather than “why” or “why not” such progress is being made. Performance indicators are usually expressed in quantifiable terms, and should be objective and measurable (e.g., numeric values, percentages, scores, and indices). Handbook on Monitoring and Evaluating for Results. United Nations Development Programme, Evaluation Office, NY, 2002.