Comparing Technical Quality Assessment Methods for Measuring Quality of Healthcare: Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: The present study aimed to compare advantages and disadvantages of Technical Quality (TQ) assessment methods in healthcare. Methods: A systematic review of five electronic databases; PubMed, Cochrane, Ovid, SID and Medlib, was performed without any time restriction. Search strategy included the following combination of keywords: guideline adherence, adherence to standard”, adherence to protocol, quality”, clinical and quality measurement. Articles that were either quantitative or qualitative on technical quality assessment methods were eligible to be included in the study. Results: Out of the 39 included articles, 13 different TQ measurement methods, were described and categorized into eight main groups. Consumer’s reported quality data were the most frequently cited method followed by paper medical record, electronic health record, composite measure and chart review. Each method for measuring and assessing TQ of health care had its cons and pros and in choosing a method for quality measurement these features need to considered. In this section, the most important features of each method were described. Conclusion: The use of each quality assessment method depends on the aim of assessment & its result application; study design for quality assessment; study field of quality assessment and available resources such as money and time for quality assessment.