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The role of the Quality and Outcomes Framework in the care of long-term conditions: a systematic review

Forbes, Lindsay JL, Marchand, Catherine, Doran, Tim, Peckham, Stephen (2017) The role of the Quality and Outcomes Framework in the care of long-term conditions: a systematic review. British Journal of General Practice, 67 (664). e775-e784. ISSN 0960-1643. E-ISSN 1478-5242. (doi:10.3399/bjgp17X693077) (KAR id:61773)

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https://dx.doi.org/10.3399/bjgp17X693077

Abstract

Background: Improving care for people with long-term conditions is central to NHS policy. It has been suggested that the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), a pay-for-performance scheme in primary care that rewards practices for delivering effective interventions in the management of longterm conditions, does not encourage high quality care for this group of patients. Aim: To examine the evidence that the QOF has improved quality of care of patients with long-term conditions. Design Systematic review Method We used electronic databases to search for peer-reviewed empirical quantitative research on the QOF published since the scheme’s introduction in 2004. We searched for studies examining the effect of QOF on a broad range of processes and outcomes of care, including coordination and integration of care, holistic and personalised care, self-care, patient experience, physiological and biochemical outcomes, health service utilisation, and mortality. We carried out a narrative synthesis because the studies were heterogeneous. Results: The QOF was associated with a modest slowing of the increase in emergency admission rates, a modest slowing of the increase in consultation rates in severe mental illness, and modest improvements in certain aspects of the care of diabetes. The nature of the evidence means that we cannot be sure that any of these associations is causal. No clear effect on mortality has been demonstrated. We found no evidence to suggest that QOF influences, positively or negatively, integration or coordination of care, holistic or personalised care, self-care, or patients’ experience, quality of life or satisfaction. Conclusion: The NHS should consider more broadly what constitutes high quality primary care for people with long-term conditions, and consider other ways of motivating primary care to deliver it.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3399/bjgp17X693077
Uncontrolled keywords: Primary Health Care, Quality of Health Care Reimbursement, Incentive
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HM Sociology
Divisions: Divisions > Division for the Study of Law, Society and Social Justice > School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research > Centre for Health Services Studies
Depositing User: Paula Loader
Date Deposited: 26 May 2017 13:52 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Jan 2024 20:02 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/61773 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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