Abstract

THE IMPACT OF QOF ON INEQUALITIES IN THE PROCESS AND OUTCOME OF DIABETES CARE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Authors: Akanuwe J, Goyder E, O’Hara R, Julious S
School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

Abstract
Background: Since the introduction of the GMS contract in 2004 many studies examined the quality and inequality in management of chronic disease, but there are limited reviews in this area that specifically focus of diabetes care.

Aim: To review literature for evidence of the impact of QOF on inequalities in diabetes care in the UK.

Method: For the Study selection, Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane and King’s Fund databases were searched for relevant studies published before and after the introduction of QOF (between 2000 and 2011).

Results: We found ten studies that met our inclusion criteria. Three studies published before the introduction of QOF all indicated that inequalities existed. Six studies that used data only from the first year of the QOF (2004-5) also indicated that inequalities in diabetes care existed. Four more recent studies, which used the first two, three and four years of QOF data, indicated a reduction in practice-level inequalities in diabetes care.

Conclusion: Evidence from the studies that analysed data from the second, third and fourth years of QOF data suggest that practice-level inequalities in diabetes care in primary care settings have improved.

Available Versions of this Item

• The impact of QOF on inequalities in the process and outcome of diabetes care: a systematic review. (deposited 19 Sep 2016 13:55) [Currently Displayed]
  • The impact of QOF on inequalities in the process and outcome of diabetes care: a systematic review. (deposited 15 Nov 2018 08:30)