ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates that, despite some obstacles related to the organisation of healthcare, valuable initiatives in collecting data in general practice exist in Belgium. Electronic patient records (EPR)-based data collection and especially morbidity recording in general practice in Belgium is confronted with some basic obstacles. Comparing the results from the paper-based with the EPR-based recording showed that in the latter much more data were lacking and the drop-out rate of GPs was considerably higher. Policy makers and researchers all over the world are looking for ways to gather information on morbidity data for public health monitoring and commissioning. General practitioners (GPs) possess a wealth of information on the health of their patients, and general practice computer databases are increasingly appreciated as a potential rich source of data. Belgian GPs have no gatekeeper function: medical specialists are freely accessible. Nevertheless, the Health Interview Survey (HIS) in 2001 showed that GPs have a key role in the healthcare system.
