ID-5184 Wonca Abstracts supplement L-Z 13-10-23 - Flipbook - Page 14
WONCA 2023 Supplement 2: WONCA 2023 abstracts (L–Z)
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
Indicators and measures of high quality in Australian
general practice: A Delphi study to establish consensus
Dr Phyllis Lau1,2, Dr Samantha Ryan1,2, Dhruvi Lathigara1, Baneen Alrubayi1, Lucy Bannister1,
Dylan Pakkiam1, E/Prof Jennifer Reath1
1
School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, 2Translational Health Research Institute, Western
Sydney University
Background
Australia is among OECD countries with the highest proportion of primary healthcare (PHC) funding
as fee-for-service payments. There is however no agreement on what constitutes high-quality PHC to
guide alternative funding models. The Quality Equity and Systems Transformation in Primary Health
Care (QUEST PHC) project developed a suite of 79 indicators and corresponding 128 measures of
high-quality general practice to address this gap.
Aim
To establish consensus with general practice and primary health networks (PHNs) on the QUEST PHC
tool for the Australian general practice context.
Methods
An online Delphi survey was conducted with general practitioners, practice staff and PHN staff.
Threshold for consensus was set at 70% agreement in both relevance and feasibility. Participants were
also asked to comment on implementation of the tool. Ratings were statistically analysed; whole group
and subgroup analyses were performed. Qualitative responses were thematically analysed.
Results
All measures reached consensus. Nineteen measures, although reaching consensus, were more
commonly rated as ‘somewhat feasible’ rather than ‘feasible’. Eight of these were common to all
subgroups (practice staff, PHN staff, clinician practice staff and non-clinician practice staff), six of
which were related to patient-reported measures. All agreements between subgroups were statistically
significant. Thematic analysis elicited four themes: (1) use of QUEST PHC indicators and measures;
(2) barriers to using quality indicators and measures; (3) barriers to using quality indicators and
measures; and (4) suggestions on implementation of the QUEST PHC. Although participants feel that
the QUEST PHC tool is relevant and feasible, there were numerous challenges in collecting additional
data, including accessibility of appropriate assessment tools, patient compliance, time constraint and
requirement of technological skills.
Implications
Findings will inform the further development and implementation of the QUEST PHC tool that would
enable future primary healthcare reforms in Australia.
12