Article type
Year
Abstract
Introduction: Various reports have described a gap between evidence generated through research and the adoption of research findings into individual practice. Audit and feedback has been identified as one intervention that has the potential to change health care provider performance.
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of audit and feedback to improve health care provider performance based on a systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials.
Methods: Computerized MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and ERIC searches were combined with review of reference lists from articles to identify trials of interventions aimed at changing the performance of health care providers. Selection criteria: design = random or quasi random allocation of subjects to one or more intervention group(s); subjects = health care providers excluding students; intervention = audit and feedback; outcomes = objectively measured provider performance in a health care setting or patient health outcome. The quality of the trials was independently assessed by two reviewers and information regarding methodology, subjects, interventions and outcomes was extracted.
Results: 27 studies met our selection criteria. The targeted outcomes included diagnostic test ordering (7 studies), general management of a condition (6 studies), preventive services (6 studies), prescribing practices (4 studies), hospital utilization (3 studies) and management of hypertension (3 studies).
Discussion: Audit and feedback can be effective in improving the performance of health care providers but the effects appear to be moderate. Further research is needed to identify the format and settings where audit and feedback can be most effective.
Objective: To determine the effectiveness of audit and feedback to improve health care provider performance based on a systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized controlled trials.
Methods: Computerized MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE and ERIC searches were combined with review of reference lists from articles to identify trials of interventions aimed at changing the performance of health care providers. Selection criteria: design = random or quasi random allocation of subjects to one or more intervention group(s); subjects = health care providers excluding students; intervention = audit and feedback; outcomes = objectively measured provider performance in a health care setting or patient health outcome. The quality of the trials was independently assessed by two reviewers and information regarding methodology, subjects, interventions and outcomes was extracted.
Results: 27 studies met our selection criteria. The targeted outcomes included diagnostic test ordering (7 studies), general management of a condition (6 studies), preventive services (6 studies), prescribing practices (4 studies), hospital utilization (3 studies) and management of hypertension (3 studies).
Discussion: Audit and feedback can be effective in improving the performance of health care providers but the effects appear to be moderate. Further research is needed to identify the format and settings where audit and feedback can be most effective.