M2M Methods

Overview
Methods

A quantitative study drawing on a number of datasets

This study used data collected for a number of national-level datasets from 2015 to 2023 to look at outcomes related to the M2M project themes outlined in Table 1. The characteristics of the included datatsets are included in Table 2. 

Table 1 Relationship between the themes included in the M2M project and the data sources that are planned for inclusion in our analyses. 

First Wave

Theme
Indicative outcome variables*
Main Source Dataset
Mortality
All-cause mortality
National Health Index
Access to the healthcare system:
ED, avoidable hospitalisation
Avoidable hospitalisation
- length of stay
ED presentations

GP access
- number of times accessed
- experience of barriers
National Minimum Dataset
National Non-Admitted Patient Collection
New Zealand Health Survey
Cancer
Screening
Specialist appointment
Cancer diagnosis
Operations
- public (June 2022)
- private (Dec 2020)
Bowel Screening Register
National Non-Admitted Patient Collection
New Zealand Cancer Registry
Long term conditions with a focus on diabetes
HbA1c testing

Gestational Diabetes Screening
Retinal screening
Hospital admission
Outpatient data
Virtual Diabetes Register
Lab Claims Collection
National Minimum Dataset
First 1000 days
Antenatal blood testing
Newborn Screening
Birthweight
Child Immunisations
Lab Claims Collection
National Maternity Collection
Mental Health
Hospital admission
K10 questionnaire
Use of a mental health helpline
Counselling
Prescribed medication
Alternative/complementary therapies
National Minimum Dataset
New Zealand Health Survey

Second Wave

Theme
Indicative outcome variables*
Main Source Dataset
Rheumatic fever
Throat swab testing
New cases
ED presentation
Hospital admission
Lab Claims Collection
National Minimum Dataset
National Non-Admitted Patient Collection

Table 2 Characteristics of the datasets used in M2M analyses. 

Dataset
Source organisation
Purpose of dataset
Method of ethnicity data collection
National Health Index (NHI)
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Unique encrypted identifier for every person who uses the healthcare system in NZ
From healthcare providers
National Minimum Dataset (NMDS)
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
National collection of public and private hospital discharge information including clinical data
Uses NHI
National Non-Admitted Patient Collection (NNPAC)
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Information on outpatient and emergency department patient activity
Uses NHI
New Zealand Health Survey (NZHS)
Ministry of Health
Continuous survey on the health and wellbeing of the New Zealand population and is reported annually
Self-identified
Bowel Screening Register (BSR)
Ministry of Health
Database of those registered in NZ’s national bowel screening programme

New Zealand Cancer Registry (NZCR)
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Register of all primary malignant diseases in NZ
Uses NHI
Lab Claims Collection
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
claims and funding information for community-based laboratory testing
Uses NHI
Virtual Diabetes register
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Data about people suspected as having diabetes, identified through their use of diabetes related health services that is used to release annual diabetes incidence estimates

National Maternity Collection
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Information about selected publicly funded maternity services up to nine months before and three months after a birth
Uses NHI
National Immunisation Register (NIR)
Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Immunisation details for New Zealand children
Uses NHI