New Principles of Best Practice in Clinical Audit

Abstract

This book is a revision and reinterpretation of the classic text on clinical audit, Principles of Best Practice in Clinical Audit, which was first published in 2002. It is a truly practical guide to audit methodology. The book’s editor, Robin Burgess, is chief executive of the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP), the organization responsible for supporting clinical audit in Great Britain. Robin is an enthusiastic advocate and this comes through in the accessible chapters that he has authored. The book is aimed at anyone who uses clinical audit or who is interested in it as a quality improvement methodology. While its main focus is clinical audit within the National Health Service, the text is equally applicable to occupational health practice both within and outside a health care setting. Do not be daunted by the length of the book. There are only 86 pages covering the four stages of clinical audit: preparation, measuring performance, implementing change and sustaining improvement. These chapters are very clear with short paragraphs and bullet pointed lists. The remaining pages are divided into eight appendices. The first of these provides particularly helpful guidance on the ethics of clinical audit and answers that age old question, what is the difference between research and audit and when do I need ethical approval? The introduction addresses important questions such as: what is clinical audit designed to do?, does clinical audit change practice? (it can) and should we audit process or outcome? And for me, two of the most important take home messages are: ‘clinical audit is a change process’ and ‘poorly conceived clinical audits . . . are a waste of everyone’s time and are not likely to result in any improvement in care’. This book touches on the philosophy, science and ethics of clinical audit as well as providing practical instructions for executing a clinical audit project. I think all occupational health clinicians, at whatever stage in their career, will find it a very useful text.