Developing a glossary of terms for burden of injury studies

Objectives. To compile and publish a dictionary of terminology containing a set of terms representing concepts found in burden of injury studies. Methods. A systematic outline of the glossary was designed on the basis of the literature. The glossary was filled with concepts and terms brought up by experts in the field of burden of injury research. Decisions were made by experts from several European countries in the field of burden of injury research. Definitions are based on the international literature, existing glossaries, medical dictionaries and expert opinion. In group sessions, the experts decided on preferred terms/definitions, admitted terms/definitions, and refused terms/definitions. Results. The glossary consists of three parts: concepts in health economics, concepts in health status measurement and valuation, and concepts related to health care practice. The glossary contains about 140 terms and is publicly available via the Internet. Conclusions. The glossary fulfils a clear need for uniform ...