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The changing role of an audit support group
E E Semple1, K E Gregson, J McEwen
1Department of Public Health, University of Glasgow.
Scottish Medical Journal
|February 1, 1994
Summary
A university audit support group saw decreased demand from doctors but increased demand from allied health professionals. This suggests a need for broader healthcare professional education in clinical audit skills.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- A clinical audit support group was established in a University Department of Public Health in 1991.
- The group aimed to provide a resource for facilitating clinical audit processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the participation and experience of healthcare professionals in clinical audit.
- To evaluate the demand and changing patterns of support requests for the audit group.
Main Methods:
- A postal survey was distributed to 300 consultants and senior registrars.
- Workload data from the audit support group was compared over two periods (August 1991-March 1992 and April 1992-March 1993).
Main Results:
- 72% of surveyed professionals had participated in audit, with 47% currently involved and 40% implementing change.
- 40% reported no experience in standard setting or implementing change.
- Audit support requests increased from 4 to 6 per month, with a shift in demand from doctors to professions allied to medicine.
Conclusions:
- Clinician experience or declining enthusiasm may explain reduced audit support requests from doctors.
- There is a clear need for enhanced education in basic clinical audit skills for all healthcare professionals.
- Improved communication and practical support are essential for effective clinical audit implementation.