title: External review in quality assurance.
abstract: This paper describes the application of external review to a physical therapy practice setting. The roots of the approach are examined in terms of consultation, accountability, and recognition of professionalization in physical therapy. The use of the structured interview as a data-gathering instrument is presented and the estimating of validity, reliability, and practicality is discussed. Implications for the use of external review as a tool in quality assurance are explored.
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004991:Ethics, Institutional; D010814:Physical Therapy Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012017:Referral and Consultation