Minimum requirements: 486 or better processor, 8 MB RAM (16 MB recommended), 30 MB hard disk space available, CD‐ROM drive, VGA capable monitor, Windows 3.11/95/NT (3.51 or better)
The installation of OECD Health Data 97 is typical for a Windows‐based program. You are offered a choice of language (English, French, Spanish, or German) and the directory in which you wish to install the program. The only flaw with the installation came when the program asked if I would like to view the README file. The software immediately continued with the installation before I had an opportunity to reply. The file can be read later. This program also comes with an uninstall option.
The OECD Health Data 97 provides comparative analysis of health care data for 29 countries. Some of the categories covered include health status (e.g., life expectancy and potential years of life lost), inputs and throughputs (e.g., health employment and medical research and development), cost of illness, and health care financing. Categories can be further defined by variables. For example, life expectancy variables include options for males and females at different ages. Since not all of the countries collect the same statistics, coverage in certain areas is sporadic.
Updated data can be obtained from the OECD web site. This process worked quite well. I had no problem transferring the data, though the address given in the manual was incorrect. Once you have the data, the user selects Update via Internet from the main menu to begin the process. The only fault I have with this process is that there is no indication as to where you are in the process. My update took about 15 minutes. I decided to go do something else while the processing completed. If not for the flashing hard drive light, I would have had no idea that the data was still being updated. Most Windows‐based programs now have a sliding bar to indicate progress. This part of the program could use one.
Documentation. The program comes with a manual in English and French. This manual contains complete instructions on using the program as well as appendices providing instructions on interpreting the statistical analyses built into the program, a list of all the countries providing data, predefined country groups (i.e., OECD, European Union, G‐7 and others) and all of the categories, groups, and variables. Specific examples are provided for each function.
Search Engine. The software provides two methods for retrieving data. Quick Query allows the user to search for various data for single countries for one, two, or all years. Alternatively, the user can request data from all countries for one or two years, but not all. The search screen uses a number of boxes for selecting the desired variables. There are two buttons marked Availability. Selecting the one at the top of the screen shows a list of all countries and whether data for the selected criteria is available. The second button indicates which specific years of data are available for the variable selected. Data is presented in chart or map format. When retrieving data for all countries, sorting can be done in ascending order by country and ascending or descending order by numeric results.
Tables, Charts & Maps provides a more flexible way to retrieve data. The user is not limited to pre‐defined criteria. Parameters are selected by clicking on tabs at the top of the screen for variables, countries, years and periods, and construct the query. The selection screens are similar to those seen in the Quick Query option. Again, results can be sorted in a variety of ways.
Evaluation. This program is confusing. Using Quick Query, I selected the following criteria: life expectancy, females at birth, all countries, and 1995. (I chose 1995 based on the information provided by the availability button.) When I clicked on the Results button, I received a chart showing data for 12 countries. To the right of the chart are buttons to sort the data in a variety of ways. When I chose to list the result in ascending order, my list grew to 29 entries. Why?
Researchers really have to pay attention when looking at the results. The list is first presented with the cursor at the end of the list instead of at the top. Except by noting the position of the result window’s scroll bar, the user has no way of knowing exactly what the complete results are. Part of the reason for the confusion is that some results return small lists.
Another problem with Quick Query is the Results window. If you choose to compare all countries for multiple years, the results do not fit completely in the window displayed. The user can adjust the size of the columns, but not the size of the window itself. Additionally, it is not possible to scroll left or right through the data. The only way to see the data easily is to export it to another program, such as a spreadsheet.
Table, Charts & Maps may be a better selection for most users. However, its flexibility also adds complexity to the software. Selecting a tab displays a new window on the screen overlaying the master screen. Since all of the windows use the same colors, it is easy to get confused as to which icons belong on which window. More than once, I inadvertently clicked on the exit button for the main window and had to start the selection process over from the beginning.
For all results, pre‐defined statistical models are presented. To perform other statistical comparisons, the user must export the data to another program. If the user opts to compare a large number of countries over a wide time span, the results most likely will not fit on the screen. Adding to this problem is a lack of flexibility in screen movement. Such results will also need to be exported.
The final problem with using this program is one the producer readily admits to. Not all of the countries participating in the program collect the same data. Nor do they collect data for the same time periods. Therefore, the user will have to check frequently for availability of information for selected criteria. One thing is for certain. Anyone who purchases this package should immediately upload the additional data found on the OECD’s web site before retrieving any data. In the case of my disk, the difference was significant to the results I achieved.
This program is confusing to use, difficult to review, and hard to rate. I can see where the data can be quite useful. The program, however, could be a lot easier to use. Anyone who is not very experienced with computers will have to work to get meaningful results from this program. I can only give this program a fair rating.
