Should there be a Quality and Outcomes Framework domain for osteoarthritis? A cross-sectional survey in general...

Despite being a chronic condition with a high prevalence and significant associated morbidity that is managed predominantly in primary care, osteoarthritis (OA) does not feature in the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) component of the UK general practice contract. The aim of this study was to determine whether general practitioners (GPs) thought OA should be added as a QOF domain, and the potential items for inclusion.

A cross-sectional postal survey of 2500 UK GPs randomly selected from Binley's database of currently practising GPs was conducted. The survey asked if OA should be added as a domain to QOF, how many points should be allocated to it and what indicators should be included.

Responses were received from 768 GPs, of whom 70.4% were male and 89.1% were partners in their practice. The majority (82.6%; n = 602) felt that OA should not be included as a QOF domain. Significant predictors of support for the addition of an OA domain to QOF included having a special interest in musculoskeletal disease (odds ratio [OR] 1.95, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-3.03), a higher research degree (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.31-12.10) and having read the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on the management of OA (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.04-2.54). Being a GP principal was the only negative association (OR 0.48, 95% CI 0.23-0.99). Preferred potential indicators for an OA QOF were analgesia review, exercise advice and patient education.

The majority of respondents felt that OA should not be included as a QOF domain, although it is unclear whether this reflected views particular to OA, or on the addition of any new domain to QOF. Those supporting an OA QOF domain tended to prefer potential indicators that are in line with current published guidance, despite a significant proportion reporting that they had not read the NICE guidelines on the management of OA.