Improving Clinical Practice Using a Novel Engagement Approach: Measurement, Benchmarking and Feedback, A Longitudinal...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Medical Education

Background:

• Poor clinical outcomes stem from various factors, including disease progression, patient behavior, and care delivery quality.
• Evidence-based practice guidelines alone have yielded mixed results in improving care quality and adherence.
• Novel tools are needed for sustainable practice change and enhancing healthcare quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of Clinical Performance and Value (CPV) vignettes on improving breast cancer care quality.
• To measure variation in adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines among breast cancer providers.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel tool for sustainable practice change.

Main Methods:

• A study involving four US sites focused on benchmarking and measuring variation in care quality for common breast cancer types.
• Twelve Clinical Performance and Value (CPV) vignettes per site simulated online patient cases to engage providers.
• The CPV tool assessed provider adherence to evidence-based practice guidelines and pathways.

Main Results:

• Significant increases in quality scores were observed after multiple rounds of CPV measurement, benchmarking, and feedback (P < 0.001).
• By round 4, overall scores rose by 14% (P < 0.001) compared to baseline.
• The diagnosis with treatment plan domain showed a 12% increase (P < 0.001) versus baseline.

Conclusions:

• Serial engagement with the validated CPV tool markedly increased quality scores and guideline adherence among breast cancer providers for simulated patients.
• CPVs effectively measured differences in clinical skill improvement and the pace of progress.
• This validated tool offers a promising approach for enhancing healthcare quality and practice change.