2.1 Beneficial for users

Data collection processes need to be designed for data collectors and data providers, and informed by their everyday jobs and real-world working conditions.

Who is a data collector, and who is a data provider?

  • A data collector is a person whose job is to plan, manage and implement the entry of data into databases. They are not necessarily involved in generating the data themselves. For example, a data collector might be employed to review and enter data from hospital records into an AMR database or to conduct a survey about AMU in hospitals.
  • A data provider is a person or organisation that generates and submits relevant data as part of their day-to-day work. For example, doctors who prescribe antibiotics using electronic prescribing software that automatically stores these data in a database are providers of data about AMU and, therefore, data providers.

When data collection processes are not straightforward for data collectors and providers, two main risks are that the data collectors or providers will either not submit data regularly (or on time) or enter poor quality data. If they do not perceive that collecting and providing good quality data will lead to good quality information (and therefore outcomes) that benefits them, they may not be motivated to invest time and effort into providing good data. The burden on and benefits for data collectors and providers should be a primary consideration when designing data collection systems.

Activity 2: Generating and using AMR data in your workplace

Timing: Allow about 10 minutes

Reflect on AMR, AMU and/or AMC data collection occurring in your workplace:

  1. What type(s) of AMR and AMU or AMC data are collected?
  2. Who collects or provides these data? Are you a data collector or provider?
  3. What benefits do you think these data collectors and providers obtain from this activity? Does it inform their day-to-day work, for example? If you are a data collector or provider, reflect on your own experience.
  4. What challenges or problems do these data collectors or providers encounter from collecting AMR, AMU or AMC data? If you are a data collector or provider, reflect on your own experience.
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Answer

The answers you gave to these questions will depend on your particular workplace and your role within it. However, even if you are not directly involved in collecting or providing AMR, AMU or AMC data, you need to be aware of how it is done and of the challenges the processes pose to those involved.

2 Data collection best practice

2.2 Standardised