Systematic development of quality indicators for skin cancer management in primary care: a mixed-methods study protocol

Bela Ines Laginha; Frances Rapport; Andrea Smith; David Wilkinson; Anne E Cust; Jeffrey Braithwaite

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059829

Systematic development of quality indicators for skin cancer management in primary care: a mixed-methods study protocol

BMJ Open. 2022 Jun 20;12(6):e059829. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059829.

Authors

Bela Ines Laginha¹, Frances Rapport², Andrea Smith³, David Wilkinson⁴, Anne E Cust³, Jeffrey Braithwaite¹

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
² Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Australian Institute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia frances.rapport@mq.edu.au.
³ University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, The Daffodil Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
⁴ National Skin Cancer Centres, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Abstract

Introduction: Australia has the highest incidence of skin cancer in the world, with two out of three Australians expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. Such incidence necessitates large-scale, effective skin cancer management practices. General practitioners (in mainstream practice and in skin cancer clinics) play an important role in skin cancer care provision, making decisions based on relevant evidence-based guidelines, protocols, experience and training. Diversity in these decision-making practices can result in unwarranted variation. Quality indicators are frequently implemented in healthcare contexts to measure performance quality at the level of the clinician and healthcare practice and mitigate unwarranted variation. Such measurements can facilitate performance comparisons between peers and a standard benchmark, often resulting in improved processes and outcomes. A standardised set of quality indicators is yet to be developed in the context of primary care skin cancer management.

Aims: This research aims to identify, develop and generate expert consensus on a core set of quality indicators for skin cancer management in primary care.

Methods: This mixed-methods study involves (1) a scoping review of the available evidence on quality indicators in skin cancer management in primary care, (2) identification and development of a core set of quality indicators through interviews/qualitative proforma surveys with participants, and (3) a focus group involving discussion of quality indicators according to Nominal Group Technique. Qualitative and quantitative data will be collected and analysed using thematic and descriptive statistical analytical methods.

Ethics and dissemination: Approval was granted by the university's Research Ethics Committee (HREC no. 520211051532420). Results from this study will be widely disseminated in publications, study presentations, educational events and reports.

Keywords: PRIMARY CARE; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; Quality in health care.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Delivery of Health Care
Humans
Primary Health Care
Quality Indicators, Health Care*
Review Literature as Topic
Skin Neoplasms* / therapy