Research project The trajectory of cause of death data: How certainty concerns shape knowledge on causes of death
During three years, the researchers in this project will examine how cause of death data is achieved, partly to generate new understanding about public health, but also to provide a better understanding of how physicians examine causes of death in Sweden and how they relate to and apply standards and guidelines.
This project provides knowledge on how cause of death data is achieved in everyday practice. Cause of death statistics is part and parcel of public health work; used for understanding the prevalence and trends of causes of death and mortal diseases and for developing and evaluating preventative measures and health care. Statistics however, rely on data, and data must always be collected, standardized, registered etc. to be defined and useful as data.
Project description
Despite the enormous significance of cause of death data for public health purposes, little is known about how it actually is achieved. Drawing on research on uncertainty in medical care and the production of medical knowledge, we will use interviews and to some extent observations to study the trajectory from cause of death determination and certification by physicians to registration at the National Board of Health and Welfare.
On the empirical level, our study will generate new knowledge and understanding about unexplored practices of great significance for public health. On the theoretical level, the project will develop a new concept, certainty concerns, to understand uncertainty management. Finally, the project has practical significance by providing a better understanding of how physicians examine causes of death in Sweden and how they relate to and apply standards and guidelines.
We will conduct interviews and observations covering two connected areas: cause of death determination and certification on the one hand, and cause of death register work on the other. We will interview physicians of different specializations about their work with determining and certifying cause of death and register clerks and medical coders about their work with and decisions related to incoming certificates, coding rules, register development, and quality work. We will also conduct some observations, for example meetings among forensic medical examiners.
Project members
Project managers
Mikaela Sundberg
Professor of Sociology
Members
Hedvig Gröndal
Researcher, PhD in Sociology
Corinna Kruse
Associate Professor, Docent