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Instruments for MEPS
and MCBS, as well as for other major federal surveys, are available
on the Web. The baseline questionnaire contains the information
assessed on the first round. Core questionnaires contain data
elements assessed at each round. Supplemental questionnaires provide
more detailed information on specific areas of interest, such
as access to care, health and functional status, or care giving.
Supplements may be administered periodically or on a one-time
basis. Click here
for the data collection schedule for MEPS supplements.
In addition to core
and supplemental instruments completed by a family respondent
for his or herself and other household members, MEPS also includes
self-administered questionnaires to obtain person level information
about health behaviors, beliefs, and experiences with care that
are difficult or impossible to collect from a proxy respondent.
The MCBS uses a separate set of "facility" questionnaires
for institutional residents, completed by facility staff as proxies.
The schedule for survey administration and instruments used in
each round can be obtained on line for both MEPS
and MCBS (click here to download the Adobe Acrobat pdf reader).
It is important to
note that the
wording of a
question can influence response. The investigator must review
the survey instruments and be aware of the exact phrasing of items
of interest to assess how the wording might influence results.
A good example of how wording can make a difference in responses
is in the assessment of limitations of Instrumental Activities
of Daily Living (IADLs) and of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
For example, a person can be asked if they "have difficulty"
performing a specific task such as bathing, whether they "need
help bathing", or whether they "receive help bathing".
Each of these items would result in a different estimate of the
proportion of respondents reporting IADL or ADL limitations. MEPS
and MCBS use different items to assess IADL and ADL limitations
and ascertain different information about these limitations when
present.
The MCBS asks survey participants whether they have any difficulty
performing the activity because of a health or medical problem,
and then follows up by asking if they receive help. Six activities
are assessed separately: bathing or showering, dressing, eating,
getting in and out of bed or chairs, walking, and using the toilet.
If an Activity of Daily Living (ADL) limitation is reported, then
additional information is collected including whether aids or
special equipment are used for help, whether someone stays nearby
in case help is needed, how long the limitation has been present,
and whether the respondent anticipates the limitation to be present
in three months. If someone helps or another person stays nearby
in case help is needed, then the respondent identifies the person
providing this help. Click here
to see the ADL portion of the MCBS questionnaire (click here to download the Adobe Acrobat pdf reader).
The
MEPS uses a single item is used to screen for the presence of
ADL limitations: "Does anyone in the family receive help
or supervision with personal care such as bathing, dressing, or
getting around the house?" If the answer is affirmative,
the household member with these limitations is identified, and
another item asks whether the limitation is due to an impairment
or physical or mental health problem. An additional item assesses
the use of aids or special equipment to perform personal care
activities. Click here
to see the ADL portion of the MEPS questionnaire (click here to download the Adobe Acrobat pdf reader).
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