National quality indicators and policies from 15 countries leading in adult end-of-life care: A systematic environmental scan

Virdun, C; Luckett, T; Lorenz, KA; Phillips, J

National quality indicators and policies from 15 countries leading in adult end-of-life care: A systematic environmental scan

Virdun, C

Luckett, T

Lorenz, KA Phillips, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 2018, 8 (2), pp. 145 - 154
Issue Date:: 2018-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Virdun, C https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3945-0749	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Luckett, T https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6121-5409	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lorenz, KA	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Phillips, J https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3691-8230	en_US
dc.date.available	2020-05-25T19:06:45Z
dc.date.issued	2018-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care, 2018, 8 (2), pp. 145 - 154	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	2045-435X	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/128988
dc.description.abstract	© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted. Background: The importance of measuring the quality of end-of-life care provision is undisputed, but determining how best to achieve this is yet to be confirmed. This study sought to identify and describe national end-of-life care quality indicators and supporting policies used by countries leading in their end-of-life care provision. Methods: A systematic environmental scan that included a web search to identify relevant national policies and indicators; hand searching for additional materials; information from experts listed for the top 10 (n=15) countries ranked in the 'quality of care' category of the 2015 Quality of Death Index study; and snowballing from Index experts. Findings: Ten countries (66%) have national policy support for end-of-life care measurement, five have national indicator sets, with two indicator sets suitable for all service providers. No countries mandate indicator use, and there is limited evidence of consumer engagement in development of indicators. Two thirds of the 128 identified indicators are outcomes measures (62%), and 38% are process measures. Most indicators pertain to symptom management (38%), social care (32%) or care delivery (27%). Interpretations: Measurement of end-of-life care quality varies globally and rarely covers all care domains or service providers. There is a need to reduce duplication of indicator development, involve consumers, consider all care providers and ensure measurable and relevant indicators to improve end-of-life care experiences for patients and families.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1136/bmjspcare-2017-001432	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Palliative Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Terminal Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Health Policy	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Delivery of Health Care	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Quality of Health Care	en_US
dc.title	National quality indicators and policies from 15 countries leading in adult end-of-life care: A systematic environmental scan	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	8	en_US
utslib.for	111702 Aged Health Care	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	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
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/IMPACCT
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Nursing
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	open_access
pubs.issue	2	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	8	en_US

Abstract:

© Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted. Background: The importance of measuring the quality of end-of-life care provision is undisputed, but determining how best to achieve this is yet to be confirmed. This study sought to identify and describe national end-of-life care quality indicators and supporting policies used by countries leading in their end-of-life care provision. Methods: A systematic environmental scan that included a web search to identify relevant national policies and indicators; hand searching for additional materials; information from experts listed for the top 10 (n=15) countries ranked in the 'quality of care' category of the 2015 Quality of Death Index study; and snowballing from Index experts. Findings: Ten countries (66%) have national policy support for end-of-life care measurement, five have national indicator sets, with two indicator sets suitable for all service providers. No countries mandate indicator use, and there is limited evidence of consumer engagement in development of indicators. Two thirds of the 128 identified indicators are outcomes measures (62%), and 38% are process measures. Most indicators pertain to symptom management (38%), social care (32%) or care delivery (27%). Interpretations: Measurement of end-of-life care quality varies globally and rarely covers all care domains or service providers. There is a need to reduce duplication of indicator development, involve consumers, consider all care providers and ensure measurable and relevant indicators to improve end-of-life care experiences for patients and families.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/128988