Do you know who I am? – An evaluation to verify demographic data of older adult service users and understand barriers to accurate data collection.

This article evaluates the accuracy and completeness of demographic data recording—specifically ethnicity, preferred language, gender, sexual orientation, refugee status, and disability—in an older adult community mental health team in Birmingham. The study found varying accuracy across demographics, with gender data being fully accurate but significant missing data for language, disability, and sexual orientation, limiting comprehensive analysis. Barriers to accurate data collection included confusion or offence among service users regarding demographic terms, organizational culture factors, limitations of clinical recording systems, and unclear data governance policies. The evaluation recommends creating psychologically safe environments for data collection, staff training, standardized questioning, routine updates, and improved recording systems to enhance data accuracy and support equitable healthcare delivery.