A synthesis of quality improvement and accreditation mechanisms in primary healthcare

Examination of peer-reviewed literature, grey literature and key stakeholder interviews found that further research in primary healthcare is required in the following areas: a. The most effective QI strategies for improving patient outcomes b. The impact of QI on a broader range of patient outcomes c. The impact of accreditation on patient outcomes d. The use of accreditation as a tool to improve [...] There is however a lack of randomized controlled trials, controlled before-after studies and time series research on the effect of QI on patients’ perceptions of care, healthcare utilization and costs, and the perceptions of primary healthcare providers. [...] Examination of peer-reviewed literature, grey literature and key stakeholder interviews found a dearth of research on how accreditation affects outcomes of care, patients’ perceptions of care, healthcare utilization and costs, and the perceptions of primary healthcare providers. [...] Research Funding Bodies ◥ Fund studies to determine how accreditation and QI processes in primary healthcare affect outcomes of care, patients’ perceptions of care, healthcare utilization and costs, and the perceptions of primary healthcare providers. [...] Following each recommendation is the strength of the recommendation and the quality of the evidence from the studies on which the recommendation was based.