Proxy-Reporting in Health Survey Research

This chapter offers readers a general overview of proxy reporting in health surveys. The primary objective of health surveys is to collect high quality information from a sample of persons carefully selected from the population of interest. The chapter first reviews the rationale for collecting proxy reports as a substitute for self-reports. Second, a description of three target populations that are commonly the focus of proxy reporting (children, elderly, and disabled) and the extent to which proxy reporting is used for each is provided. Examples of measures commonly collected using proxy respondents are then examined. The chapter also reviews the quality issues surrounding the collection of proxy reports and how such reports may impact the survey results. Lastly, some general conclusions about proxy reporting in health surveys are outlined.