The Community Tracking Study (CTS)

Collecting Unique Data from Consumers and Physicians on a Changing Health Care System

ecognizing that health care is organized and delivered at the local level, the CTS consists of surveys of American consumers and physicians in 60 nationally representative communities and in-depth site visits in 12 of those communities. This unique design provides a national perspective on health system change and its effect on people and institutions across the country.

In 2001, HSC completed its third round of surveys and site visits. As of 2002, HSC has moved to a three-year cycle of surveys. The fourth round of Household and Physician Surveys will begin in January 2003 and January 2004, respectively. The site visits will continue on a two-year cycle, with the next round beginning in September 2002.

CTS Household Survey. Information about 60,000 people in 33,000 families helps examine the many aspects of consumers' experience in obtaining health care. Particular areas of inquiry include access to care, satisfaction with the care received, use of services and insurance coverage. Information about health status and sociodemographic characteristics also is collected. Mathematica Policy Research, Inc., (MPR) conducts the Household Survey for HSC.

HSC is currently pilot testing followback surveys that would go to employers and insurers of Household Survey respondents.

CTS Physician Survey. To gain perspective on how health care delivery is changing, HSC interviews 12,000 practicing physicians across the country. Physicians are asked questions about compensation, whether they are able to provide needed services for patients and the effects various management strategies have on their practices. The Gallup Organization conducts the Physician Survey for HSC.

CTS Employer Survey. To better understand the role employers play in shaping the health care system, HSC interviewed 22,000 public and private employers in 1997 in collaboration with RAND.

CTS Site Visits. HSC researchers examine the forces affecting health care organizations and how they are responding by interviewing 50 to 80 local health leaders representing health plans, providers, policy makers and employers in Boston; Cleveland; Greenville, S.C.; Indianapolis; Lansing, Mich; Little Rock, Ark; Miami; Northern New Jersey; Orange County, Calif; Phoenix; Seattle; and Syracuse, N.Y.

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