title: Development and pilot study of the Primary Care Practice Improvement Tool (PC-PIT): an innovative approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the usability and validity of the Primary Care Practice Improvement Tool (PC-PIT), a practice performance improvement tool based on 13 key elements identified by a systematic review. It was co-created with a range of partners and designed specifically for primary health care.
  
  
  METHODS
  This pilot study examined the PC-PIT using a formative assessment framework and mixed-methods research design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six high-functioning general practices in Queensland, Australia, between February and July 2013. A total of 28 staff participated - 10 general practitioners, six practice or community nurses, 12 administrators (four practice managers; one business manager and eight reception or general administrative staff).
  
  
  METHODS
  Readability, content validity and staff perceptions of the PC-PIT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The PC-PIT offers an appropriate and acceptable approach to internal quality improvement in general practice. Quantitative assessment scores and qualitative data from all staff identified two areas in which the PC-PIT required modification: a reduction in the indicative reading age, and simplification of governance-related terms and concepts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PC-PIT provides an innovative approach to address the complexity of organisational improvement in general practice and primary health care. This initial validation will be used to develop a suite of supporting, high-quality and free-to-access resources to enhance the use of the PC-PIT in general practice. Based on these findings, a national trial is now underway.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research Excellence in Primary Health Care Microsystems, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. l.crossland1@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Crossland
authors.affiliation: Centre of Research Excellence in Primary Health Care Microsystems, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Janamian
authors.affiliation: Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sheehan
authors.affiliation: Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Siskind
authors.affiliation: Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hepworth
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Claire L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Jackson
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011793:Queensland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017749:Total Quality Management / Q000458:organization & administration