title: Effective audit in general practice: a method for systematically developing audit protocols containing evidence-based review criteria.
abstract: Though many general practitioners (GPs) now take part in audit, there is still concern about the extent to which participation in audit leads to improvements in practice. Improved methods are needed for the incorporation of research evidence into criteria for use in audit. In this paper, a six-stage systematic method is described for developing audit protocols containing prioritized evidence-based criteria. The stages are: selection of a topic, identification of key elements of care, focused literature reviews, prioritization of the criteria on the strength of the evidence and impact on outcome, preparation of full documentation, and peer review.
authors.affiliation: Eli Lilly National Clinical Audit Centre, Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, University of Leicester.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Khunti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lakhani
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards*; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit / Q000379:methods*; D010380:Peer Review; D006113:United Kingdom