Comparison of health service accreditation programs in low- and middle-income countries with those in higher income countries: A cross-sectional study

Braithwaite, J; Shaw, CD; Moldovan, M; Greenfield, D; Hinchcliff, R; Mumford, V; Kristensen, MB; Westbrook, J; Nicklin, W; Fortune, T; Whittaker, S

Comparison of health service accreditation programs in low- and middle-income countries with those in higher income countries: A cross-sectional study

Braithwaite, J Shaw, CD Moldovan, M Greenfield, D Hinchcliff, R

Mumford, V Kristensen, MB Westbrook, J Nicklin, W Fortune, T Whittaker, S

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2012, 24 (6), pp. 568 - 577
Issue Date:: 2012-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Braithwaite, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Shaw, CD	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Moldovan, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Greenfield, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Hinchcliff, R https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9920-4211	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Mumford, V	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Kristensen, MB	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Westbrook, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Nicklin, W	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fortune, T	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Whittaker, S	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-12-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	International Journal for Quality in Health Care, 2012, 24 (6), pp. 568 - 577	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1353-4505	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115357
dc.description.abstract	Objective: The study aim was twofold: to investigate and describe the organizational attributes of accreditation programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to determine how or to what extent these differ from those in higher-income countries (HICs) and to identify contextual factors that sustain or are barriers to their survival. Design: Web-based questionnaire survey. Participants: National healthcare accreditation providers and those offering international services. In total, 44 accreditation agencies completed the survey. Main outcome measure(s): Income distinctions, accreditation programme features, organizational attributes and cross-national divergence. Results: Accreditation programmes of LMICs exhibit similar characteristics to those of HICs. The consistent model of accreditation worldwide, centres on promoting improvements, applying standards and providing feedback. Where they do differ, the divergence is over specialized features rather than the general logic. LMICs were less likely than HICs to include an evaluation component to programmes, more likely to have certification processes for trainee surveyors and more likely to make decisions on the accreditation status based on a formulaic, mathematically oriented approach. Accreditation programme sustainability, irrespective of country characteristics, is influenced by ongoing policy support from government, a sufficient large healthcare market size, stable programme funding, diverse incentives to encourage participation in accreditation by Health Care Organizations as well as the continual refinement and improvement in accreditation agency operations and programme delivery. Conclusions: Understanding the similarities, differences and factors that sustain accreditation programmes in LMICs, and HICs, can be applied to benefit programmes around the world. A flourishing accreditation programme is one element of the institutional basis for high-quality health care. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press in association with the International Society for Quality in Health Care; all rights reserved.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	International Journal for Quality in Health Care	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1093/intqhc/mzs064	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Health Policy & Services	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Services Administration	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Developed Countries	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Developing Countries	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Politics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Accreditation	en_US
dc.title	Comparison of health service accreditation programs in low- and middle-income countries with those in higher income countries: A cross-sectional study	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	6	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	24	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	11 Medical and Health Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	6	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	24	en_US

Abstract:

Objective: The study aim was twofold: to investigate and describe the organizational attributes of accreditation programmes in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to determine how or to what extent these differ from those in higher-income countries (HICs) and to identify contextual factors that sustain or are barriers to their survival. Design: Web-based questionnaire survey. Participants: National healthcare accreditation providers and those offering international services. In total, 44 accreditation agencies completed the survey. Main outcome measure(s): Income distinctions, accreditation programme features, organizational attributes and cross-national divergence. Results: Accreditation programmes of LMICs exhibit similar characteristics to those of HICs. The consistent model of accreditation worldwide, centres on promoting improvements, applying standards and providing feedback. Where they do differ, the divergence is over specialized features rather than the general logic. LMICs were less likely than HICs to include an evaluation component to programmes, more likely to have certification processes for trainee surveyors and more likely to make decisions on the accreditation status based on a formulaic, mathematically oriented approach. Accreditation programme sustainability, irrespective of country characteristics, is influenced by ongoing policy support from government, a sufficient large healthcare market size, stable programme funding, diverse incentives to encourage participation in accreditation by Health Care Organizations as well as the continual refinement and improvement in accreditation agency operations and programme delivery. Conclusions: Understanding the similarities, differences and factors that sustain accreditation programmes in LMICs, and HICs, can be applied to benefit programmes around the world. A flourishing accreditation programme is one element of the institutional basis for high-quality health care. © The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press in association with the International Society for Quality in Health Care; all rights reserved.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/115357