Performance measurement and improvement frameworks in health, education and social services systems: a systematic review.
OBJECTIVE
To perform a systematic review, supplemented by a targeted grey literature scan, for performance measurement and improvement frameworks within and across the health, education and social service systems. The intended outcome was the creation of a foundation of evidence to inform the development of cross-sectoral quality improvement frameworks.


METHODS
MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, ERIC, EMBASE, Social Services Abstracts, Social Work Abstracts and Education Index Full Text were searched up to April/May 2007. In addition, 26 governmental and 27 organizational websites were searched.


METHODS
English language material with a publication date of 1986 or more recent that described a health, education or social services multidimensional framework for performance measurement and improvement. Data extraction The framework name; administrative sector; level of application; setting; population of interest; categories of quality described within the framework; country of application; and citations to other performance measurement and improvement frameworks were extracted from each article.


RESULTS
In total, 111 frameworks were identified. Most frameworks (n = 97) were developed in or for the health sector. A concept sorting exercise identified 16 quality concepts applicable across many settings, sectors and levels of application.


CONCLUSIONS
This systematic review of quality domains will be relevant and useful to those who are developing and using performance measurement and improvement frameworks for adult and child populations within or across the health, social service or education sectors.
Klassen
Anne
A
Department of Pediatrics, McMaster University, HSC 3A, 1200 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, Canada L8N 3Z5. aklass@mcmaster.ca
Miller
Anton
A
Anderson
Nancy
N
Shen
Jane
J
Schiariti
Veronica
V
O'Donnell
Maureen
M
D019985:Benchmarking / Q000379:methods*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D004493:Education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D012947:Social Work / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards