Accuracy and reliability
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Government Finances, Economic StatisticsLouise Mathilde Justesen
+45 40 26 47 43
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The overall accuracy of the statistics is considered to be high, as the primary data sources is constituted by the general government finances. However, there are uncertainty associated with the use of a few supplementary sources such as the Household Budget Survey. Moreover, misclassifications can occur as it can be difficult to determine whether some areas are within the scope of the SHA. This implies that the uncertainty increases with the level of detail. The accuracy is therefore highest for the overall SHA-categories.
Overall accuracy
The overall accuracy of the statistics is relatively high, as the primary data source is constituted by the general government finances. Distribution weights are applied to general government finance accounts to get mere detailed information, which, however, add a degree of uncertainty. The private part of the statistics concerning household out-of-pocket payments may be subject to uncertainty due to the use of the Household Budget Survey. Moreover, the latest year will be subject to further uncertainty as projections are used for individual sources.
Sampling error
Not relevant for these statistics.
Non-sampling error
Misclassification within the SHA2011 framework can lead to systematic uncertainty. Misclassification is attempted to be reduced by a detailed review of each account and after thorough research applied with SHA-codes. Furthermore, changes can occur in the lineup of annual reports, which can lead to over or underestimation of the health care expenditures.
Quality management
Statistics Denmark follows the recommendations on organisation and management of quality given in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and the implementation guidelines given in the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF). A Working Group on Quality and a central quality assurance function have been established to continuously carry through control of products and processes.
Quality assurance
Statistics Denmark follows the principles in the Code of Practice for European Statistics (CoP) and uses the Quality Assurance Framework of the European Statistical System (QAF) for the implementation of the principles. This involves continuous decentralized and central control of products and processes based on documentation following international standards. The central quality assurance function reports to the Working Group on Quality. Reports include suggestions for improvement that are assessed, decided and subsequently implemented.
Quality assessment
The statistic reflects the consumption expenditure on health care in Denmark and is published annually four months after the end of the reference period. Data are revised back to year t-4, and the statistics are therefore relevant and meet user needs. The statistics is in accordance with SHA2011 definitions and classifications and is presented with Danish health terminology, which should result in an easy understanding. The statistics is consistent and international comparable with countries within OECD and Eurostat in the entire time period.
Data revision - policy
Statistics Denmark revises published figures in accordance with the Revision Policy for Statistics Denmark. The common procedures and principles of the Revision Policy are for some statistics supplemented by a specific revision practice.
Data revision practice
The statistic follows the revision policy of the national accounts, where years t-2, t-3 and t-4 are recalculated simultaneously with the calculation of year t-1. The revisions previous years are published simultaneously with the publication of year t-1.