A study of the methods used to select review criteria for clinical audit
Hearnshaw H, Harker R, Cheater F, Baker R, Grimshaw G
Record ID 32002000304
English
Authors' objectives:
The objectives of this study were: - To develop a clear definition of the desirable characteristics of review criteria and their selection. - To create and use a valid questionnaire to identify the degree to which review criteria that have those characteristics are selected or developed. - To identify obstacles to the selection or development of review criteria and recommend methods of overcoming such obstacles. - To advance our understanding of how review criteria for clinical audit are selected.
Authors' recommendations:
This study has shown that review criteria selections often omit many of the desirable characteristics of review criteria. A significant proportion of review criteria were not based on research evidence. Even where review criteria development did involve reference to research literature, only a limited number of respondents had attempted to assess the quality of the literature, in terms of either its recency or its validity. The higher scores on usability show that creating practical, easy to apply review criteria is more achievable than developing review criteria in a systematic evidence-based manner. Nevertheless, piloting or providing information on consultation with staff or patients involved were often omitted.
The most commonly noted problems associated with review criteria development focused on organising the audit and gathering literature upon which to base criteria. Audit leads interviewed in this study identified ways in which these barriers may be overcome. Training to enhance levels of skill in literature searching and critical appraisal are important. Furthermore, it is important that all published audit protocols include a detailed and transparent account of how the review criteria were selected, in order that informed choices can be made.
Authors' methods:
Survey
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
http://www.hta.ac.uk/1033
Year Published:
2002
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
England, United Kingdom
MeSH Terms
- Health Care Surveys
- Medical Audit
Contact
Organisation Name:
NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme
Contact Address:
NIHR Journals Library, National Institute for Health and Care Research, Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton SO16 7NS, UK
Contact Name:
journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Contact Email:
journals.library@nihr.ac.uk
Copyright:
2009 Queen's Printer and Controller of HMSO
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.