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A modified Delphi study to identify the features of high quality measurement plans for healthcare improvement projects

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Adeleke, Yewande 
Goeschel, Christine 
Pronovost, Peter 
Dixon-Woods, Mary 

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The design and execution of measurement in quality improvement (QI) initiatives is often poor. Better guidance on “what good looks like” might help to mitigate some of the problems. We report a consensus-building process that sought to identify which features are important to include in QI measurement plans. Methods: We conducted a three-stage consensus-building approach: (1) identifying the list of features of measurement plans that were potential candidates for inclusion based on literature review and the study team’s experience; (2) a two-round modified Delphi exercise with a panel of experts to establish consensus on the importance of these features; and (3) a small in-person consensus group meeting to finalise the list of features. Results: A list of 104 candidate questions was generated. A panel of 19 experts in the Delphi reviewed these questions and produced consensus on retaining 46 questions in the first round and on a further 22 in the second round. Thematic analysis of open text responses from the panellists suggested a number of areas of debate that were explicitly considered by the consensus group. The exercise yielded 74 questions (71% of 104) on which there was consensus in five categories of measurement relating to: design, data collection and management, analysis, action, and embedding. Conclusions: This study offers a consensus-based view on the features of a good measurement plan for a QI project in healthcare. The results may be of use to QI teams, funders and evaluators, but are likely to require further development and testing to ensure feasibility and usefulness.

Description

Funder: The Health Foundation


Funder: National Institute for Health Research

Keywords

Research Article, Data collection, quality, and reporting, Measurement, Quality improvement, Quality measurement, Delphi technique

Journal Title

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1471-2288

Volume Title

20

Publisher

BioMed Central