Stakeholder perspectives on implementing accreditation programs: A qualitative study of enabling factors

Hinchcliff, R; Greenfield, D; Westbrook, JI; Pawsey, M; Mumford, V; Braithwaite, J

Stakeholder perspectives on implementing accreditation programs: A qualitative study of enabling factors

Hinchcliff, R

Greenfield, D Westbrook, JI Pawsey, M Mumford, V Braithwaite, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13 (1)
Issue Date:: 2013-10-31

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hinchcliff, R https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9920-4211	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Greenfield, D	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Westbrook, JI	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Pawsey, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Mumford, V	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Braithwaite, J	en_US
dc.date.available	2013-10-21	en_US
dc.date.issued	2013-10-31	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	BMC Health Services Research, 2013, 13 (1)	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/117321
dc.description.abstract	Background: Accreditation programs are complex, system-wide quality and safety interventions. Despite their international popularity, evidence of their effectiveness is weak and contradictory. This may be due to variable implementation in different contexts. However, there is limited research that informs implementation strategies. We aimed to advance knowledge in this area by identifying factors that enable effective implementation of accreditation programs across different healthcare settings. Methods. We conducted 39 focus groups and eight interviews between 2011 and 2012, involving 258 diverse healthcare stakeholders from every Australian State and Territory. Interviews were semi-structured and focused on the aims, implementation and consequences of three prominent accreditation programs in the aged, primary and acute care sectors. Data were thematically analysed to distil and categorise facilitators of effective implementation. Results: Four factors were identified as critical enablers of effective implementation: the accreditation program is collaborative, valid and uses relevant standards; accreditation is favourably received by health professionals; healthcare organisations are capable of embracing accreditation; and accreditation is appropriately aligned with other regulatory initiatives and supported by relevant incentives. Conclusions: Strategic implementation of accreditation programs should target the four factors emerging from this study, which may increase the likelihood of accreditation being implemented successfully. © 2013 Hinchcliff et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC Health Services Research	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/1472-6963-13-437	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Health Policy & Services	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Focus Groups	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Attitude of Health Personnel	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Geriatrics	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Emergency Medicine	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Qualitative Research	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Accreditation	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Program Development	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Primary Health Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Australia	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Interviews as Topic	en_US
dc.title	Stakeholder perspectives on implementing accreditation programs: A qualitative study of enabling factors	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	1	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	13	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
utslib.for	0807 Library and Information Studies	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	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	open_access
pubs.issue	1	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	13	en_US

Abstract:

Background: Accreditation programs are complex, system-wide quality and safety interventions. Despite their international popularity, evidence of their effectiveness is weak and contradictory. This may be due to variable implementation in different contexts. However, there is limited research that informs implementation strategies. We aimed to advance knowledge in this area by identifying factors that enable effective implementation of accreditation programs across different healthcare settings. Methods. We conducted 39 focus groups and eight interviews between 2011 and 2012, involving 258 diverse healthcare stakeholders from every Australian State and Territory. Interviews were semi-structured and focused on the aims, implementation and consequences of three prominent accreditation programs in the aged, primary and acute care sectors. Data were thematically analysed to distil and categorise facilitators of effective implementation. Results: Four factors were identified as critical enablers of effective implementation: the accreditation program is collaborative, valid and uses relevant standards; accreditation is favourably received by health professionals; healthcare organisations are capable of embracing accreditation; and accreditation is appropriately aligned with other regulatory initiatives and supported by relevant incentives. Conclusions: Strategic implementation of accreditation programs should target the four factors emerging from this study, which may increase the likelihood of accreditation being implemented successfully. © 2013 Hinchcliff et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/117321