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A survey of audit activity in general practice
H Hearnshaw1, R Baker, A Cooper
1Eli Lilly National Clinical Audit Centre, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital.
Summary
General practices conduct a high volume of clinical audits, with most leading to positive changes in patient care. Audit frequency is not linked to funding levels, suggesting support is key for effective practice improvement.
Area of Science:
- Primary care research
- Healthcare quality improvement
- Medical audit
Background:
- General practices have been encouraged to conduct clinical audits since 1991.
- While participation is reported as high, national data on audit activities are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess current clinical audit activities in general practices.
- To understand general practitioners' (GPs) perceptions of clinical audit's future in primary care.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire survey was distributed to 707 general practices across 18 medical audit advisory group areas.
- Practices were selected from randomly chosen top, middle, and lowest funding thirds of these groups.
Main Results:
- 60.5% of practices responded, reporting a median of three audits per practice annually.
- 64% of reported audits led to changes, with 81% focusing on clinical care topics.
- GP perceptions were mixed, with 42% positive and 26% negative comments on the future of clinical audit.
Conclusions:
- Clinical audit activity in general practice is substantial, with most audits resulting in tangible changes.
- Audit frequency appears independent of funding levels, highlighting the importance of support from audit groups.
- Further support can enhance effective audit practices, ultimately improving patient care.