Schizophrenia Care: Quality Enhancement Research Initiative

Subject: Healthcare Research
Pages: 3
Words: 643
Reading time:
3 min
Study level: Master

The article being reviewed presents a study that was conducted by (Brown, et al., 2008). It was published as a Journal on Implementation Science on 15th February 2008. The article is available on the web and can be accessed at www.implementationscience.com.

After the launch of the QUERI, a proposal appeal was made for “investigator-instigated” studies that focussed on the execution of medical directives in VA facilities for healthcare. After the recognition that the directives execution process had a problem, it was proposed that specific attention be given to factors that hindered the implementation of guidelines. Such factors included provider issues (attitudes, awareness, and behavior) and system issues (patient population, resources, and culture).

The process of implementation was supposed to be done based on practice, patient, and system outputs and not just the dissemination of guidelines. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the development of an initiative that started around the same time when QUERI and the science of implementation commenced, and that has been changed, with continued financial support, into an initiative that overtly participates in the execution of science as it is today delineated and implemented within QUERI (Brown, et al., 2008).

Independent qualitative research was conducted, gathered data analyzed and manuscript drafted. The study also used the MINT to offer instant and briefed data through a ‘PopUp window’. Adoption and execution devices were also employed to facilitate the usefulness and efficiency of the intervention.

The findings of the study taught about the quality discrepancies and ways of dealing with schizophrenic-related problems. According to the findings, remedies to problems of quality in schizophrenia differ by the domain of treatment and are worsened by a lack of familiarity with evidence-based practices. The results of the study also revealed that improving healthcare resource allocation for medical practitioners would be indispensable.

The authors did include all relevant studies. However, the outcomes and inferences of the study are those of the authors accountable for the study and therefore, cannot be generalized. Other parties’ perspectives such as those of the U.S. Section of Veteran Affairs (VA) are vital but were not included. The inclusion of outside views would perhaps have changed the general conclusions of the study.

The author has not discussed any relevant limitations of the study. He declares that the study has no notable limitation. However, this is not true as there is no single research that can be flawless. Some of the relevant limitations that the author would have discussed include the methodology and the approach used to reach a general conclusion.

Regarding the findings provided, it is logical to claim that the conclusions arrived at are valid. The author has concluded that the study supports the idea that QUERI devices can help execute intricate models of care focused on the evidence-based enhancement of clinical care. From a personal point of view, the author has tried to employ all the relevant explications to the outcomes of the study. The author has even used the findings in the first study to develop a more detailed to assess and execute the chronic disease care theory. It would therefore be correct to say that the results of the study are reliable and trustworthy.

The study (EQUIP) is compatible with many other studies that aim at implementing scientific knowledge to improve clinical care. Many studies on the topic have attempted to improve clinical care in three major domains, which have been discussed in the present study.

Formative evaluation has been a major component of assessment planning in the public domain. In public administration, the application of formative assessment can be initiated in an organization via capacity building, peer reviews, internal and external formative assessment teams, and the employment of specified theories of formative assessment for programs that are hard to diagnose (Martin & Kettner, 1996). Therefore, formative and execution assessments are important aspects of public administration.

References

Brown, A., et al. (2008). EQUIP: Implementing chronic care principles and applying formative evaluation methods to improve care for schizophrenia, QUERI Series. Journal of Implementation Science, 3(9), 1-12.

Martin, L., & Kettner, P. (1996). Measuring the Performance of Human Service Programs. London: Sage Publications Ltd.