Related Experiment Videos
Personal outcomes as measures of quality
J F Gardner1, S Nudler, M S Chapman
1Accreditation and Evaluation Systems, Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People With Disabilities, Towson, MD 21204, USA.
Mental Retardation
|August 1, 1997
Summary
The Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People With Disabilities shifted its focus from compliance to responsiveness. This led to the development of Personal Outcome Measures based on direct input from people with disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Disability Studies
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
- Social Work Research
Background:
- The Council on Quality and Leadership in Supports for People With Disabilities (The Council) redefined quality from "compliance with organizational process" to "responsiveness to people."
- This shift necessitated understanding the priority outcomes desired by individuals receiving services and supports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and validate key personal outcomes that people with disabilities expect from services and supports.
- To develop a measurement tool reflecting these identified outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Focus groups and individual meetings were conducted with people with disabilities.
- The 1993 Outcome Based Performance Measures were utilized in 447 interviews during 54 accreditation reviews.
- Factor analysis (principle components extraction, varimax rotation) was applied to interview data.
Main Results:
- Analysis identified 24 variables that loaded onto seven major factors.
- These factors represent core areas of personal outcomes: Identity, Autonomy, Affiliation, Attainment, Rights, Health, and Safeguards.
Conclusions:
- The seven identified factors form the foundation of The Council's 1997 Personal Outcome Measures.
- This framework emphasizes a person-centered approach to quality in disability services.