Abstract
PurposeA quality indicator (QI) is a valuable tool to evaluate the quality of health care systems. In palliative radiation oncology, only a few related QIs have been developed to date. In this study, we sought to develop and pilot test QIs that assess the quality of care in palliative radiation therapy. Methods and MaterialsA modified Delphi method was used to establish consensus with an expert panel. The panel consisted of 8 radiation oncologists who have expertise in palliative radiation oncology and 1 expert on Delphi methodology. Online panel meetings and e-mail surveys were conducted to develop QIs on palliative radiation therapy for bone and brain metastases. Feasibility of measurement was assessed though pilot surveys that were conducted by radiation oncologists at 5 facilities. ResultsAfter 3 online meetings and 2 e-mail surveys, we developed 4 QIs on bone metastases and 3 QIs on brain metastases. Two email surveys and 2 pilot surveys confirmed the validity of QIs and the feasibility of measurement, respectively. ConclusionsWe developed valid and feasible QIs on palliative radiation therapy for bone and brain metastases. Our work may contribute to reduce the evidence–practice gaps in palliative radiation oncology.
Highlights
Clinical practice is infrequently performed in accordance with available evidence or clinical guidelines.[1]
We developed four quality indicator (QI) on bone metastases and three QIs on brain metastases
QIs can be classified into structure, process, and outcome indicators.[16,17]
Summary
Clinical practice is infrequently performed in accordance with available evidence or clinical guidelines.[1]. A quality indicator (QI) is a valuable tool to evaluate the quality of health care, and a basis for the continuous implementation of the improvements in health care.[3] Another role of QIs is to promote accountability in regulatory agencies or consumers.[4] Process QIs are a widely used tool to evaluate the process invloved in health care delivery.[5] In general, process QIs are presented as numerators and denominators (percentage of patients for whom recommended medical care was conducted); i.e., the denominator represents the number of patients for whom the QI is applicable and the numerator represents the number of patients for whom the standard of care was met
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