Development of a rating scheme for the quality of processes and results in ambulant procedures of specialists for occupational accidents

Status:

completed 08/2014

Aims:

The primary aim of the research project is to develop a systematic method to assess the reports of the specialists for occupational accidents. The aim is to measure and to assure the quality of the medical treatment processes and to develop an assessment to measure health-related quality of life and the satisfaction of patients to assure the quality of results. The research project especially considers the operational sequences of the accident insurance.

Activities/Methods:

The project has three phases. First, we operationalize and create concepts and assessments based on a systematic review and consultations with an expert panel. Second, we verify concepts and assessments in a pilot study. And third, we implement the instrument for all specialists for occupational accidents in a regional association.

Results:

Quality of outcomes – questionnaire to measure patient satisfaction The questionnaire was developed to measure patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life before and after occupational accidents. Based on psychometric analyses, it was developed in several phases and includes 38 items. Patient satisfaction is quantified by a score (0 – 100) in the seven subscales "Trust in the physician", "Patient participation", "Medical Information" "Staff and organization of Services", "Facilities", "Referrals" and "General satisfaction". Three additional subscales "Specific coordination", "Cooperation with other physicians" and "Cooperation with physiotherapists" measure problems in coordination of the accident-related patient care. The questionnaire was tested along with the Short-Form (SF)-12 in a regional association of the DGUV. Of the 1,106 distributed questionnaires, 1,799 (61.5%) were returned. Validity and reliability of all scales of the developed questionnaire were psychometrically analyzed. There were no relevant problems. Quality of processes – checklist for peer reviews To assess specialists’ reports of occupational accidents, a checklist was developed by experts. The checklist examines ten substantial aspects of these reports and assesses whether they are complete, comprehensive and plausible. The examiner also grades the entire report (1 = very good, 6 = inadequate). The checklist was tested by all ambulatory specialists for occupational accidents of a regional association of the DGUV to analyze inter-rater reliability. The concordance was good. A web application was developed for using the checklist. Its practicability was confirmed by study participants. Conclusion With the questionnaire and the checklist the DGUV are given empirically validated and practical instruments for quality assurance within the accident-insurance-related patient care.

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