The relationship between general practice characteristics and quality of care: a national survey of quality indicators used in the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework, 2004–5

Abstract In recent years, quality of care in the sector has come under increasing scrutiny, and practice and policy concerns have been raised about staffing levels, recruitment and retention. Beyond broad recognition that ‘staff influence quality’, little is known about the care home workforce and its relationship to quality. We are undertaking the first study in the UK to address this important question, considering quality from a range of perspectives. One work package comprises a realist review to develop theoretical explanations of how, why and in what circumstances staffing promotes quality for residents and relatives. We will present three mechanisms that promote quality - individual commitment to resident focused care, reciprocity in the team, and a mandate to be creative and flexible to meet residents’ needs. We will consider the contexts required to trigger these mechanisms – staffing numbers, stability of the team, size of the team, and clear leadership.

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Deprivation and quality of primary care services: evidence for persistence of the inverse care law from the UK Quality and Outcomes Framework

Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health ◽

10.1136/jech.2005.044628 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 60 (11) ◽

pp. 917-922 ◽

Cited By ~ 65

Author(s):

G McLean ◽

M Sutton ◽

B Guthrie

Keyword(s):

Primary Care ◽

Care Services ◽

Primary Care Services ◽

Inverse Care Law ◽

Quality Of Primary Care ◽

Quality And Outcomes ◽

The Uk ◽

Quality And Outcomes Framework

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Quality improvement in chronic care by self-audit, benchmarking and networking in general practices in South Tyrol, Italy: results from an interventional study

Family Practice ◽

10.1093/fampra/cmaa123 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Giuliano Piccoliori ◽

Angelika Mahlknecht ◽

Muna E Abuzahra ◽

Adolf Engl ◽

Vera Breitenberger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Practice ◽

Quality Of Care ◽

Quality Indicators ◽

Quality Score ◽

Interventional Study ◽

South Tyrol ◽

Electronic Health ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Systematic strategies promoting quality of care in general practice are yet under-represented in several European countries. Objective This interventional study assessed whether a combined intervention (self-audit, benchmarking, quality circles) improved quality of care in Salzburg, Austria and South Tyrol, Italy. The present publication reports the Italian results. Methods We developed quality indicators for general practice in a consensus process based on pre-existing quality programmes. The indicators addressed diagnosis and treatment regarding eight common chronic conditions. A quality score comprising 91 indicators was calculated (0–5 points per indicator depending on fulfilment, maximum 455 points). We collected anonymous data from the electronic health records of the participating physicians in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for pre-post analysis. Results Thirty-six GPs participated in the study. The median quality score increased significantly from 177.0 points at baseline to 272.0 points at the second follow-up (P = 0.000). Improvements concerned process and intermediate outcome indicators particularly between baseline and the first follow-up. Conclusion Performance was relatively low at baseline and improved considerably, mainly in the first study period. The intervention investigated in this study can serve as a model for future quality programmes. A customized electronic health record for the implementation of this intervention as well as standardized and consistent documentation by GPs is a prerequisite. Use of a limited set of quality indicators (QIs) and regular QI modification is probably advisable to increase the benefits. Long-term prospective studies should investigate the impact of QI-based interventions on end-result outcomes.

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