A research study to identify facilitators and barriers to outcome measure implementation.
OBJECTIVE
To identify facilitators and barriers to implementing outcome measures.


METHODS
An action-research approach within a hospice and nursing home was used. Staff took part in semistructured interviews pre- and post-implementation of the Palliative Care Outcome Scale (POS), completed diaries and participated in monthly meetings.


RESULTS
Qualitative content analysis identified barriers to implementation including: a top-down decision-making approach; outcome measures perceived as time-consuming to use; limited resources for data analysis; and a lack of knowledge of the importance of outcome measures. Facilitators to successful implementation include: involving all staff in decisions about implementation; and using a measure that can be adapted to organization needs and clinical practice. The benefits of using the measure are rapidly noticeable.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the need to evaluate services and the role outcome measures can have within clinical governance, this article indicates methods by which measures may be more successfully implemented.
Dunckley
Maria
M
Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Health, School of Health and Social Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK. M.Dunckley@Coventry.ac.uk
Aspinal
Fiona
F
Addington-Hall
Julia M
JM
Hughes
Rhidian
R
Higginson
Irene J
IJ
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003625:Data Collection; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006302:Health Services Research; D017051:Hospice Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008131:London; D008503:Medical Staff / Q000523:psychology; D009728:Nursing Assistants / Q000523:psychology; D009731:Nursing Audit / Q000458:organization & administration; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011361:Professional Competence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016526:Workload