Walking the line between assessment, improvement, and learning: an exploratory study on opportunities and risks of peer discussion of audit and feedback

IntroductionThere is a broad call for change in existing quality systems within health care. One of the anticipated reforms, is transferring ownership back to care deliverers. A promising way to establish this in general practice care, is to combine audit and feedback with peer group discussion. However, it is unknown what different stakeholder groups think of giving prominence to this type of quality improvement. In this study we explore ideas and opinions of different stakeholder groups in general practice on the opportunities and risks that could arise. MethodsWe conducted an exploratory qualitative study, combining interviews with focus discussion groups. Included stakeholder groups were general practitioners, patients, professional organizations and insurance companies. Within a constructivist paradigm, two researchers coded the data in three rounds, using thematic analysis. After continuously comparing and discussing codes with a third researcher, a final code tree emerged, presenting us with the main themes. ResultsIn eight interviews and two focus discussion groups, 22 participants reflected upon opportunities and risks. We identified three main opportunities: deeper levels of reflection upon data, adding context to numbers and more ownership, and three main risks: handling of unwilling colleagues, lacking a safe group and the necessity of patient involvement. An additional theme concerned disagreement on the amount of transparency that should be offered: insurance companies and patients advocated for complete transparency on data and improvement of outcomes, while GPs and professional organizations urged to restrict transparency to giving insight into the process. ConclusionPeer discussion of audit and feedback could be part of a change movement, towards a quality system based on learning and trust, that is powered from within the profession. Creating a safe learning environment is key herein. Caution is needed when complete transparency is asked, since it can jeopardize practitioners reflection and learning in safety. Strengths and limitations of this studyO_LIExploratory study of a gap in the knowledge towards implementation of a promising intervention. C_LIO_LIParticipants included the four main stakeholder groups that are involved in implementation, in order to study agreement and disagreement between different stakeholders. C_LIO_LIAdditional stakeholders, such as governmental agencies, were not included. They may have offered other perspectives. C_LIO_LIThis exploratory qualitative study offers insight into opportunities and risks. In order to get a broad overview of how these findings are supported by GPs in general, additional quantitative research is necessary. C_LI