From quality improvement to equality improvement projects: A scoping review and framework

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Equity Studies
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Growing recognition of health disparities necessitates new approaches.
• Existing quality improvement projects (QIPs) often lack a health equity focus.
• Systematic data collection on health outcomes for diverse demographics is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review of Equality Improvement Projects (EQIPs).
• To inform the development of a new framework for quality improvement through a health equity lens.
• To identify characteristics of EQIPs that effectively reduce health disparities.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review methodology was employed.
• Studies were analyzed based on whether they implemented interventions or solely identified group differences.
• Focus was placed on interventions targeting identified health disparities.

Main Results:

• Forty studies implemented interventions to address identified disparities, contrasting with 149 that only noted differences.
• Most EQIPs focused on race-based disparities and occurred in inpatient and outpatient settings.
• Successful EQIPs utilized multidisciplinary teams, staff education, and continuous outcome tracking.

Conclusions:

• EQIPs are vital for systematically addressing and reducing health inequalities.
• A framework integrating EQIPs can incentivize progress toward health equity.
• Leveraging specific strategies within EQIPs can bridge the health inequality gap.