Using Always Events to derive patient-centred quality improvement priorities in a specialist primary care service providing care to a homeless population

McCallum, M. , McNab, D. and McKay, J. (2019) Using Always Events to derive patient-centred quality improvement priorities in a specialist primary care service providing care to a homeless population. BMJ Open Quality, 8(1), e000507. (doi: 10.1136/bmjoq-2018-000507)

Abstract

Background: ‘Always Events’ (AE) is a validated quality improvement (QI) method where patients, and/or carers, are asked what is so important that it should ‘always’ happen when they interact with healthcare services. Answers that meet defined criteria can be used to direct patient-centred QI activities. This method has never, to our knowledge, been applied in the care of a UK homeless population. We aimed to test the aspects of the acceptability and feasibility of the AE method to inform on its potential application to improve care for this vulnerable group of patients. Methods: All patients attending three consecutive drop-in clinics at a specialist homeless general practitioner service in Glasgow, who agreed to participate, were interviewed. Anonymised responses were transcribed and coded and a thematic analysis performed. Themes were summarised to generate candidate AE using the patient’s own words. The authors then determined if they met the AE criteria. Results: Twenty out of 22 eligible patients were interviewed. Oral transcribing was found to be an acceptable way to gather data in this group. Nine candidate AEs were generated, of which five fitted the criteria to be used as metrics for future QI projects. This project generated AEs and QI targets, and highlighted issues of importance to patients that could be easily addressed. Conclusion: In the homeless context, obtaining high engagement and useful patient feedback, in a convenient way, is difficult. The AE method is an acceptable and feasible tool for generating QI targets that can lead to improvements in care for this vulnerable group.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: MM was an NHS Education for Scotland Health Inequality Fellow funded from August 2016 to August 2017.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McCallum, Dr Marianne
• Authors: McCallum, M., McNab, D., and McKay, J.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
• Journal Name: BMJ Open Quality
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 2399-6641
• ISSN (Online): 2399-6641
• Published Online: 01 March 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 The Authors
• First Published: First published in BMJ Open Quality 8(1): e000507
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License