Register      Login
Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care

Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Implementation of a data-driven quality improvement program in primary care for patients with coronary heart disease: a mixed methods evaluation of acceptability, satisfaction, barriers and enablers

Nashid Hafiz, Karice Hyun, Qiang Tu, Andrew Knight, Charlotte Hespe 0000-0002-4582-7728, Clara Chow, Tom Briffa, Robyn Gallagher, Christopher Reid, David Hare, Nicholas Zwar, Mark Woodward, Stephen Jan, Emily Atkins, Tracey-Lea Laba, Elizabeth Halcomb 0000-0001-8099-986X, Tracey Johnson, Deborah Manandi 0000-0002-7532-0477, Tim Usherwood, Julie Redfern

Abstract

Background: The study aimed to understand the acceptability, satisfaction, uptake, utility and feasibility of a quality improvement (QI) intervention to improve care for coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in Australian primary care practices and identify barriers and enablers, including the impact of COVID-19. Methods Within the QUality improvement for Effectiveness of care for people Living with heart disease (QUEL) study, 26 Australian primary care practices, supported by five Primary Health Networks (PHN) participated in a one-year QI intervention (November 2019 - November 2020). Data were collected from practices and PHNs staff via surveys and semi-structured interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed with descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively. Results: Feedback was received from 64 participants, including practice team members and PHN staff. Surveys were completed after each of six workshops and at the end of the study. Interviews were conducted with a subgroup of participants (n=9). Participants reported positive satisfaction with individual QI features such as learning workshops and monthly feedback reports. Overall the intervention was well-received, with most participants expressing interest in participating in similar programs in the future. COVID-19 and lack of time were identified as common barriers, while team collaboration and effective leadership enabled practices’ participation in the QI program. Additionally, 90% of the practices reported COVID-19 effected their participation due to vaccination rollout, telehealth set-up, and continuous operational review shifting their focus from QI. Conclusion: Data-driven QI programs in primary care can boost practice staff confidence and foster increased implementation. Barriers and enablers identified can also support other practices in prioritising effective strategies for future implementation. Keywords: Quality improvement, Coronary heart disease, Data, Primary care, Process evaluation, mixed-methods research, Qualitative research, COVID-19.

PY24034  Accepted 17 December 2024

© La Trobe University 2024

Committee on Publication Ethics