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Continuous Quality Improvement Cohorts on Advanced Access

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Primary Health Care
Interventions
Other: CQI intervention
Other: Audit and Feedback
Registration Number
NCT05715151
Lead Sponsor
Université de Sherbrooke
Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the implementation and effects of CQI cohorts on AA for PHC clinics. The main questions it aims to answer are to assess the effectiveness of CQI cohorts on AA outcomes.

Detailed Description

SIGNIFICANCE AND PURPOSE: Timely access to primary healthcare is one cornerstone of strong primary healthcare. Across Canada, timely access remains a significant challenge. One of the most highly recommended models around the world to improve timely access is advanced access (AA). Over the last two decades, AA has become increasingly popular in Canada. AA model has been widely promoted by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and several other provincial organizations and professional associations. Some tools to support the implementation of AA to PHC providers and practices have been developed such as workbook by Health Quality Ontario and Doctor of BC. However, those tools are important assets to initiate a reflection to improve, they are often not sufficient. Eight PHC teams interested in improving and expanding the implementation of AA have been coached through several PDSA cycles. However, the personalized support model used is very demanding in terms of capacity and resources. These findings guided the research team in developing and evaluating a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Cohort program on advanced access to support Primary healthcare (PHC) teams.This study aims to develop knowledge on an externally facilitated CQI pan-Canadian cohort program that could potentially be transferred to provincial organizations or professional associations wishing to support clinics in quality improvement projects.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the effectiveness of CQI cohorts on AA outcomes.

QI INTERVENTION PROGRAM: PHC teams will participate in an externally facilitated CQI program focusing on AA. The proposed program consists of cycle of three key activities; 1) Interprofessional reflective sessions and need prioritization, 2) Group mentoring and PDSA Cycles and 3) Cohort cross-learning exchange opportunities.

METHODS: This study will be based on the cluster-controlled trial of a CQI program of PHC teams on AA. 48 PHC teams from Quebec will participate to the externally facilitated CQI cohort intervention. Volunteer clinics from the intervention regions will receive the CQI intervention for 18 months. Intervention clinics will be matched to PHC clinics located in other regions to compose the control group. The match will be based on the clinic level (1 to 10, based on the number of patients registered and services offered. Clinics in the control group will receive an audit on a selection of AA indicators and will be offered the intervention 12 to 18 months following their recruitment. Data collection and analysis will include quantitative data based on a comprehensive assessment of both AA processes and outcomes. These will be measured through a self-reflective survey for PHC team members, EMR data and patients related outcomes questionnaire on access. Qualitative data based on semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, observations of the CQI activities and analysis of plans of action of documents plan of action will take place.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
48
Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

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Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
CQI interventionCQI interventionThe proposed CQI cohort consists of three activities carried out iteratively until the improvement objectives are achieved.
Audit and feedbackAudit and FeedbackClinics in the control group will receive feedback on six key AA indicators, patients reported experience about access and selected AA processes.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
3rd next available appointment (weekly)18 month

Delay before the 3rd next available appointment. The 3rd next available appointment is used (rather than the 1st or 2nd) to decrease variation.

Percent of relational continuity (monthly)18 month

Total number of medical consultations with a patient's attached family physician (or specialised nurse) out of the total number of consultations with any family physician (or specialised nurse) from the clinic. Evaluates relational continuity between the provider and their registered patients.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Percent of 48-hour open slots (weekly)18 month

Proportion of appointments available in the next 48 hours. Provides an overview of the provider's ability to respond to urgent care demands.

Percent of relational continuity (monthly)12 month

Total number of medical consultations with a patient's attached family physician (or specialised nurse) out of the total number of consultations with any family physician (or specialised nurse) from the clinic. Evaluates relational continuity between the provider and their registered patients.

Discontinuity for chronic patients (monthly)18 month

Proportion of chronic patients without any consultations within the last 12 months.

Use of walk-in (monthly)18 month

Proportion of walk-in visits by registered patients to each professional.

Proportion of multidisciplinary involvement (monthly)18 month

Evaluates the proportion of involvement of different types of providers (social workers, nurses, pharmacists, etc.) with registered patients.

3rd next available appointment (weekly)12 month

Delay before the 3rd next available appointment. The 3rd next available appointment is used (rather than the 1st or 2nd) to decrease variation.

Trial Locations

Locations (18)

CISSS de la Gaspésie

🇨🇦

Gaspé, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS de Montérégie-Centre

🇨🇦

Longueuil, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS de l'Estrie-CHUS

🇨🇦

Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS du Nord-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS de la Mauricie et Centre-du-Québec

🇨🇦

Trois-Rivières, Quebec, Canada

CISSS de Chaudière-Appalaches

🇨🇦

Lévis, Quebec, Canada

CISSS de Lanaudière

🇨🇦

Joliette, Quebec, Canada

CISSS de la Montérégie-Ouest

🇨🇦

Saint-Hubert, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS du Centre-Sud-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

CISSS de l'Outaouais

🇨🇦

Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS de l'Est-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

CISSS de Laval

🇨🇦

Laval, Quebec, Canada

CISSS de l'Abitibi-Témiscamingue

🇨🇦

Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS du Centre-Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS de l'Ouest-de-l'Île-de-Montréal

🇨🇦

Montréal, Quebec, Canada

CISSS des Laurentides

🇨🇦

Saint-Jérôme, Quebec, Canada

CIUSSS de la Capitale-Nationale

🇨🇦

Québec, Canada

CISSS de la Montérégie-Est

🇨🇦

Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada

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