Recorded quality of primary care for osteoarthritis: an observational study

Broadbent, Joanne, Maisey, Susan P., Holland, Richard C. and Steel, Nicholas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1528-140X (2008) Recorded quality of primary care for osteoarthritis: an observational study. British Journal of General Practice, 58 (557). pp. 839-843. ISSN 1478-5242

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Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic disease in the UK, with greater prevalence in women, older people, and those with poorer socioeconomic status. Effective treatments are available, yet little is known about the quality of primary care for this disabling condition. Aim: To measure the recorded quality of primary care for osteoarthritis, and assess variations by patient and/or practice characteristics. Design of study: Retrospective observational study. Setting: Eighteen general practices in England. Method: Records of 320/393 randomly selected patients with osteoarthritis (response rate 81%) were reviewed. High-quality health care was specified by nine quality indicators. Logistic regression modelling assessed variations in quality by age, sex, deprivation, severity, time since diagnosis, and practice size. Results: There was substantial variation in the recorded achievement of individual indicators (range 5% to 90%). The percentage of eligible patients whose records show that they received care in the form of information provision ranged from 17% to 30%. For regular assessment indicators the range was 27% to 43%, and for treatment indicators the range was 5% to 90%. Recorded achievement of quality indicators was higher in those with more severe osteoarthritis (odds ratio [OR] 1.38, 95% CI = 1.13 to 1.69) and in older patients (OR 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02 to 1.28). There were no significant variations by deprivation score. Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the feasibility of using existing robust quality indicators to measure the quality of primary care for osteoarthritis, and has found considerable scope for improvement in the recording of high-quality care. The lack of variation between practices suggests that system-level initiatives may be needed to achieve improvement. One challenge will be to improve care for all, without losing the equitable distribution of care identified.

Item Type: Article
Additional Information: Source:RK Note:
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Groups > Health Services and Primary Care
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Research Centres > Population Health
Depositing User: EPrints Services
Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2010 11:12
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2023 00:41
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/14686
DOI: 10.3399/bjgp08X376177

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