Health Care Quality Measring and Assuring:
Paper instructions:
Aims of Module:
• Critically assess the extent to which qualitative and quantitative measurement techniques may be successfully applied to assess quality in health care in diverse settings
• Develop a critical understanding of the manner in which contemporary approaches to quality measurement and improvement have developed over time
• Be able to critically assess ways of measuring quality, such as the use of performance indicators
Reading list:
Key texts:
Berwick, D. (2013) The Berwick Report. A promise to learn – a commitment to act: improving the safety of patients in England. London: The Stationery Office.
Campbell, S.M., Roland, M.O. and Buetow, S.A. (2000) Defining quality of care. Social Science and Medicine, 51(11): 1611-1625
Donabedian, A. (2005) Evaluating the quality of medical care. Milbank Quarterly, 83(4): 691-729
Francis, R. (2010) Independent Inquiry into Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust: final report. London: The Stationery Office.
Francis, R. (2013) Report of the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Public Inquiry. Volumes 1, 2 and 3. London: The Stationery Office.
Maxwell, R.J. (1992) Dimensions of quality revisited: from thought to action. Quality in Health Care, 1(3): 171-177
Walshe, K., and Offen, N. (2001) A very public failure: lessons for quality improvement in healthcare organisations from the Bristol Royal Infirmary. Quality in Health Care, 10(4): 250-256
Question:
Write 1000 words on whether you would recommend the hospital to your family and friends. Base this view on a critical analysis of information you have collected about the organisation, using a theoretical framework(s) or model(s) to illustrate your rationale
Theory, concepts and use of evidence:
Make a clear attempt to include different theoretical approaches – sought out additional literature. Make clear which of the frameworks you have selected and why. It would help to move beyond description and state what you think the value of these theories are in relation to the question/topic.
Analysis and originality:
Ensure you say which conceptual framework you are going to use to analyse the information at the beginning of your essay
Connection between theory and practice:
You will need to use some interesting and powerful evidence as examples. You need to link these examples to the aspects of quality you mention at the beginning. Make the links between the evidence and the concepts clear.
Structure and Presentation:
All references need to be listed in the bibliography. Written style sometimes difficult to follow e.g. unfinished sentences, very long sentences or fragments.
Written work should be structured under headings to improve its readability. There should be a clear introduction setting out what your question and your approach to answering it.
Range of evidence and theories cited.
You will need to concentrate on your writing style (grammar, spelling, punctuation), layout (clearer structure with headings) and demonstrating an analytical approach to evidence.